This is a candid reexamination of the work of Samuel Richardson, presenting a just view of one of the most important figures in the history of English prose fiction and eighteenth-century culture. The book surveys Richardson's literary career in its immediate setting and centers on the origins and publication of the three great novels and on their reception by the public.Originally published in 1936.A UNC Press Enduring Edition -- UNC Press Enduring Editions use the latest in digital technology to make available again books from our distinguished backlist that were previously out of print. These editions are published unaltered from the original, and are presented in affordable paperback formats, bringing readers both historical and cultural value.