Pierce Egan the Younger
Encyclopedia
Pierce Egan the Younger was an English journalist and novelist. The son of Pierce Egan
, the author of Life in London. he associated with his father in several of his works.
, started in 1842, and from 7 July 1849 to the end of 1851 edited the Home Circle. In Nos. 53-119, vols, iii-v. of this work, ending 11 October 1851, reappeared, extended and recast, his 'Quintyn Matsys, the Blacksmith of Antwerp,' afterwards reissued separately in library form with illustrations. An early edition had been published about 1839.
He wrote in January 1857 for Reynolds's Miscellany, Nos. 444-8, a popular Christmas story called 'The Waits;' later republished in John Thomas Dicks's series of 'English Novels,' No. 106. Also in Reynolds's Miscellany was 'The False Step; or the Castle and the Cottage' (begun 21 Feb. 1867, ended 3 Oct., Nos. 450-82). He then transferred to The London Journal
as a major contributor until the end of his life. Sir John Gilbert
illustrated many of the works. On 5 Dec. 1857, in vol. xxvi. No. 667, appeared the first chapters of Egan's 'Flower of the Flock.' It ended in No. 689, and was next week followed by 'The Snake in the Grass' (8 May 1858, ending 27 Nov. 1858, in No. 720).
In 1858 and 1869 a new proprietor of the Journal dispensed with Egan's services and reprinted three novels by Sir Walter Scott. But the circulation diminished, so that Egan was again summoned to restore its popularity. This he attempted, somewhat hurriedly, with a slight story called 'The Love Test' (15 January 1869, in vol. xxix., completed in No. 746 on 28 March). After a short interval he began a new story, with his best power, 'Love me. Leave me Not' (22 Oct. 1859, ending 30 June 1860, Nos. 767-803).
His powers diminished, as in his wild and ghastly story 'My Love Kate; or the Dreadful Secret' (6 Nov. 1809 to 7 May 1870, Nos. 1291-1317); and in his attempt to trade on his former success with 'The Poor Girl' by a companion novel entitled 'The Poor Boy' (8 October 1870 to 8 April 1871, Nos. 1339-65). His 'Snake in the Grass' was republished in 1887.
Other early works were:
He died on 6 July 1880.
Pierce Egan
Pierce Egan was an early British journalist, sportswriter, and writer on popular culture.Egan was born in the London suburbs, where he spent his life. By 1812 he had established himself as the country's leading 'reporter of sporting events', which at the time meant mainly prize-fights and...
, the author of Life in London. he associated with his father in several of his works.
Early life
He was born in London, and early showed a taste for drawing. He was educated to follow art professionally, frequented theatres, and made sketches during the performances. He etched these designs, which were published as frontispieces to the plays in George Bolwell Davidge's Acting Drama. His most ambitious work as an artist was a series of etchings to illustrate his father's serial The Pilgrims of the Thames in Search of the National (1837).Journalist and serial writer
He contributed to the early volumes of the Illustrated London NewsIllustrated London News
The Illustrated London News was the world's first illustrated weekly newspaper; the first issue appeared on Saturday 14 May 1842. It was published weekly until 1971 and then increasingly less frequently until publication ceased in 2003.-History:...
, started in 1842, and from 7 July 1849 to the end of 1851 edited the Home Circle. In Nos. 53-119, vols, iii-v. of this work, ending 11 October 1851, reappeared, extended and recast, his 'Quintyn Matsys, the Blacksmith of Antwerp,' afterwards reissued separately in library form with illustrations. An early edition had been published about 1839.
He wrote in January 1857 for Reynolds's Miscellany, Nos. 444-8, a popular Christmas story called 'The Waits;' later republished in John Thomas Dicks's series of 'English Novels,' No. 106. Also in Reynolds's Miscellany was 'The False Step; or the Castle and the Cottage' (begun 21 Feb. 1867, ended 3 Oct., Nos. 450-82). He then transferred to The London Journal
The London Journal
The London Journal; and Weekly Record of Literature, Science and Art was a British penny fiction weekly, one of the best-selling magazines of the nineteenth century....
as a major contributor until the end of his life. Sir John Gilbert
John Gilbert (painter)
Sir John Gilbert was an English artist, illustrator and engraver.-Biography:He was born in Blackheath, Surrey, and taught himself to paint. Skilled in several media, he gained the nickname, "the Scott of painting"...
illustrated many of the works. On 5 Dec. 1857, in vol. xxvi. No. 667, appeared the first chapters of Egan's 'Flower of the Flock.' It ended in No. 689, and was next week followed by 'The Snake in the Grass' (8 May 1858, ending 27 Nov. 1858, in No. 720).
In 1858 and 1869 a new proprietor of the Journal dispensed with Egan's services and reprinted three novels by Sir Walter Scott. But the circulation diminished, so that Egan was again summoned to restore its popularity. This he attempted, somewhat hurriedly, with a slight story called 'The Love Test' (15 January 1869, in vol. xxix., completed in No. 746 on 28 March). After a short interval he began a new story, with his best power, 'Love me. Leave me Not' (22 Oct. 1859, ending 30 June 1860, Nos. 767-803).
His powers diminished, as in his wild and ghastly story 'My Love Kate; or the Dreadful Secret' (6 Nov. 1809 to 7 May 1870, Nos. 1291-1317); and in his attempt to trade on his former success with 'The Poor Girl' by a companion novel entitled 'The Poor Boy' (8 October 1870 to 8 April 1871, Nos. 1339-65). His 'Snake in the Grass' was republished in 1887.
Other novels
Other novels were part publishing of weekly numbers, and later in volumes. Several of them contained woodcuts and etchings by the author. Among these were:- 'Wat Tyler,' in 3 books, 1841, re-published in 1851, full of slaughter, with love scenes;
- 'Robin Hood;'
- 'Adam Bell, Clym o' the Cleugh, and William of Cloudeslie,' a long story of woodland adventures, 1842;
- 'Paul Jones,' the privateer, 2 vols., with Egan's etched frontispiece and designs on wood, 1842.
Other early works were:
- 'The London Apprentice, and the Goldsmith's Daughter of East Chepe;'
- 'Edward the Black Prince; or, Feudal Days;' and
- 'Clifton Grey; or, Love and War,' a tale of the Crimean warCrimean WarThe Crimean War was a conflict fought between the Russian Empire and an alliance of the French Empire, the British Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Kingdom of Sardinia. The war was part of a long-running contest between the major European powers for influence over territories of the declining...
, published in 1854-5.
Personal life
He was singularly unobtrusive, and avoided conflicts. He married and had several children, enjoying a fair income derived from his literary work. He later developed a different style from his early feudal extravagances, of rural scenes intermingled with tragic incidents of town poverty and aristocratic splendor. He was a liberal in politics, and was for some time connected with the Weekly Times.He died on 6 July 1880.