Blackmore, Richard Doddridge

Born: Jun 06, 1825 AD
Died: 1900 AD, at 74 years of age.

Nationality: English
Categories: Novelists

1825 - Born on June 7th in Longworth, Berkshire, England. English Victorian novelist whose novel Lorna Doone won a secure place among English historical romances.

1847 - Won a scholarship to Exeter College, Oxford, from where he graduated.

         - He began a novel called 'The Maid of Sker' although it remained unfinished for many years.

1852 - He was called to the bar, having entered the Middle Temple three years previously.

1853 - Richard married Lucy Maguire, a twenty-six year old Roman Catholic.

1854 - He moved to Hamton Wick (Middlesex) in order to take up the post of classics master at the Wellesley House Grammar School in nearby Twickenham.

         - Blackmore published his first work of literature, 'Poems by Melanter,' followed by a second volume, 'Epullia,'.

1864 - Blackmore published his first novel, Clara Vaughan, which was immediately recognized for its excellent qualities.

1866-1869 - 'Cradock Nowell' followed, but came to public attention with his Lorna Doone, produced in both triple and single volumes.

1887 - He wrote, "Springhaven".

1900 - Died on January 20th in Teddington, Middlesex.

         - He finally died there after a long and painful illness, and nearly twelve years of widowhood. He was buried in Teddington Cemetery.

Page last updated: 12:29am, 10th Aug '07