Значение слова SMOLLETT в Литературной энциклопедии

TOBIAS GEORGE (1721-1771).-Novelist, 2nd _s._ of Archibald S., of Dalquhurn, Dumbartonshire, and _ed._ at Glasgow, proceeded to London in 1739 with the view of having a tragedy, _The Regicide_, put on the stage, in which, however, he failed. In this disappointment he took service as surgeon's mate on one of the vessels of the Carthagena expedition, 1741, an experience which he turned to account in his novels. On his return he settled in London, and endeavoured to acquire practice as a physician, but was not very successful, and having discovered where his talent lay, he thenceforth devoted himself to literature. _Roderick Random_ appeared in 1748, _The History of an Atom_ (1749), _Peregrine Pickle_ in 1751, _Ferdinand, Count Fathom_ in 1753, _Sir Lancelot Greaves_ in 1766, and _Humphrey Clinker_, generally considered his best novel, in 1770. Besides these works, however, he translated Voltaire, wrote a _History of England_ in continuation of Hume's, an _Ode to Independence_, travels and satires, and contributed to various periodicals. He was repeatedly involved in acrimonious controversy, and on one occasion fined and imprisoned for a libel, which, with various private misfortunes, embittered his life, and he _d._ disappointed and worn out near Leghorn. Had he lived four years longer he would have succeeded to his grandfather's estate of Bonhill. The novels of S. display great narrative power, and he has a remarkable comic vein of a broad type, which enables him to present ludicrous scenes and circumstances with great effect. There is, however, a strong infusion of coarseness in his treatment of his subjects.