The Characters in The Age of Johnson

1.   Fanny Burney (13 June 1752-6 January 1840)

Fanny Burney also known as Frances Burney. She was an English novelist, diarist and playwright. She wrote 4 novels, 8 plays, 1 biography and 20 volumes of journals and letters. She began writing at the age of ten. Fanny published her first novel “Evelina” anonymously in 1778. When the book’s authorship was revealed, it brought her almostimmediate fame due to its unique narrative and comic strenght. Her next novels are Cecilia (1782), Camilla (1796) and The Wanderer (1814).

2.    Richard Brinsley Sheridan (30 Oktober 1751-7 July 1816)

Richard was an Irish satirist, playwright, poet and long-term owner of the London Theatre Royal. He is known for his plays such as The Rivals, The School for Scandal, The Duenna and A Trip to Scarborough. He was also a Whig MP for 32 years in the British House of Commons for Stafford (1780-1806), Westminster (1806-1807), and Ilchester (1807-1812). His plays remain a central part of the canon and are regularly performed worldwide.

3.    Christopher Smart (11 April 1722-21 May 1771)

Christopher Smart also known as “Kit smart” or “Jack Smart”. He was an English poet. Smart’s 2 most known works are “A Song to David” and “Jubilate Agno”. Smart was known mainly for his contributions in the journals “The Midwife and The Student” along with his famous Seaton prize poems and his mock epic. Although he is primarily recognised as a religious poet, his poetry includes various other themes, such as his theories on nature and his promotion of English nationalism.

4.    William Cowper (26 November 1731-25 April 1800)

William Cowper was an English poet and hymnodist. One of the most popular poets of his time, Cowper changed directions of 18th century nature poetry by writing everyday life and scenes of the English countryside. He was on of the forerunners of romantic poetry. Cowper was called “The best modern poet” by William Wordsworth who particularly admired his poem “Yardley-Oak”. Some his major work are “Olney Hymns” (1779) that is collaboration with John Newton, John Gilpin (1782), The Task (1785) and Homer's Iliad and Odyssey (1791).


5.    Robert Burns (25 January 1759 – 21 July 1796)

Robert was a Scottish poet and lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and is celebrated worldwide. He is the best known of the poets who have written in the Scots language. He is regarded as a pioneer of the Romantic movement. His poem (and song) "Auld Lang Syne" is often sung at Hogmanay (the last day of the year), and "Scots Wha Hae" served for a long time as an unofficial national anthem of the country. Other poems and songs of Burns that remain well known across the world today include "A Red, Red Rose", "A Man's a Man for A' That", "To a Louse", "To a Mouse", "The Battle of Sherramuir", "Tam o' Shanter" and "Ae Fond Kiss".

Referensi: Michael Alexander.2000.A history of english literature