Through the Looking Glass: Mint Editions

Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (27 January 1832 - 14 January 1898), more commonly known by his pen name Lewis Carroll, was a scholar and lecturer of mathematics at Christ Church in Oxford. Despite his high capability and intellect as a distinguished professor in the public eye, it is his private work that has earned his name immortality and the attention of droves of literary scholars fascinated by his life. The use of the pen name was prompted by a fear that his peers and colleagues would cruelly judge and ridicule him for the nonsense he had created.It is often speculated that perhaps because of his vast knowledge of the logic and laws of mathematics that Carroll developed a taste and love for literary nonsense that abides by no rules. His absolute adoration for Alice Liddell, the daughter of the dean of Christ Church, seems to be the other major source of inspiration behind the classic novels.The relationship between Carroll and Alice has provoked discussion amongst scholars. It is speculated that he may have once had intentions of courting and marrying the girl who was 20 years younger than him when she became of age. Carroll's personal diary suggests their close relationship caused his connection with the Liddell family to fracture permanently.His personal studio and collection of photographs and paintings of female children (portrayed clothed and also nude) have also added to the controversy. To many of his friends, he was able to convince them that the work was of a non-erotic nature, but interviews with several of those who personally knew Carroll make the argument for a different story.