The career of Thomas Hood in relation to the world of letters of his time

Abstract

Chapter 1 begins with a short account of the publishing activities of Thomas Hood the elder; then an account of Hood's early years - his education, his stay in Scotland, and activities mainly as an engraver, before joining the staff of the London Magazine in 1821. Chapter 2 begins with an account of the state of periodical literature about 1820, particularly with reference to circulations and payment; then an account of the London under Taylor and a brief history of its decline. This is followed by a list of contributions to the London attributed to Hood, his relations with the magazine, and his early connections with two literary friends it helped bring him, J.H. Reynolds and Charles Lamb. Chapter 3 is an account of Hood's activities from 1825 to 1828, the publication of his engraving, the Progress of Cant, his contributions to the Atlas weekly newspaper, the publication of his Whims and Oddities, first and second series, National Tales, Plea of the Midsummer Fairies, etc., his annual the Gem, and his relations with the stage. Chapter 4 is an account of the years 1829 to 1834, the publication of various works, Hood's friendship with Charles Dilke and his contributions to the Athenaeum, the publication of Comic Annuals and Tylney Hall, the last of his friendship with Lamh, and a note on his social association with other men of letters. Chapter 5 is a year-by-year history of the Annuals, in the period of Hoods connection with them. Chapter 6 begins with an account of the crisis which caused Hood's stay on the Continent, followed by an account of his literary activities in the years he spent there, 1835 to 1839, including the publication of Comic Annuals, Up the Rhine, Hood ' s Own, and other work. Chapter 7 is an account of Hood's final years, 1840 to 1845, beginning with his relations with the publisher A.H.Baily and his return to England, then an account of his relations with Henry Colburn publisher of the New Monthly, his contributions to and editorship of that magazine; his contributions to Punch; his final editorship of Hood's Magazine. Then the account of Hood's friendships with J.H. Reynolds and Charles Dilke is concluded, followed by a section on his friendship with Charles Dickens. After a brief note on Hood's social influence, there is finally an account of his concern for the status of the profession of letters, as manifested in his reactions to the copyright question and of the granting to him of a pension.