Shorter Novels, Eighteenth Century

Samuel Johnson

1709–1784

A towering voice of 18th-century English literature, he is best known for his landmark Dictionary of the English Language and for the sharp wit, moral force, and common sense that run through his essays and criticism. His work still feels lively because it mixes learning with humor and a deep interest in how people really live.

Horace Walpole

1717–1797

Best known for The Castle of Otranto, he helped launch the Gothic novel and brought a sharp, witty voice to 18th-century English letters. He was also a prolific letter writer whose correspondence offers a vivid window into the culture and politics of his time.