Frederick James Furnivall was an English writer, editor, literary critic, and amateur scholar who made important contributions to the study of early English literature, including Chaucer. A divisive figure in his time, Furnivall was often derided in the popular press for his idiosyncratic notions about literature, such as his use of metrical testing on Shakespeare’s plays, or his near-idolatrous treatment of Robert Browning. As a publisher and editor, however, he is generally recognized as having helped revolutionize the study of early English manuscripts.
Furnivall was born in Egham, Surrey, on February 4, 1825, to Dr. George Frederick Furnivall, a physician who owned a private lunatic asylum, and Sophia Hughes Furnivall (née Barwell). As a boy, he was attracted to sport and exercise
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Citation: Gifford, David. "Frederick James Furnivall". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 17 October 2024 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=1658, accessed 21 November 2024.]
