Laurence Sterne (1713-1768) was an Irish Anglican clergyman. Stern published several novels, sermons and his memoirs. He is best-known for his novel Tristram Shandy. A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy, first published in 1768, is a mixture of autobiography, travel, impressions, and fiction in which the author shares his observations of France and Italy through the character of Mr. Yorick.