Ann Radcliffe, The Mysteries of Udolpho

Caroline Webber (Independent Scholar - Australia)

The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.2.1.06: English Writing and Culture of the Romantic Period, 1789-1837.
Vol. editors: Daniel Cook (University of Dundee), Daniel Robinson (Widener University), Emily Rohrbach (University of Durham)

Dates

First circulation or publication 1794

Places

England (Country of Origin)

Genres and Modes

Gothic & Ghosts
Novel

Resources

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Radcliffe’s best-known work – and a bestseller in its day –

The Mysteries of Udolpho

, was first published in 1794 and it earned her £500. Even today at least six different publishers currently have a version of

The Mysteries of Udolpho

in print, testament to its long-lasting appeal.

The Mysteries of Udolpho

tells the story of Emily, an orphaned heroine, who struggles against her oppressive and tyrannical captor Montini. Talfourd writes:

This splendid series of fictions became immediately popular with the numerous class of readers, who seek principally for amusement, and soon attracted the attention of the finer spirits of the age. Dr. Joseph Warton, the Head Master of Winchester School, who was far advanced in life when “The Mysteries of Udolpho” was published, told Mr.

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2022 words

Citation: Webber, Caroline. "The Mysteries of Udolpho". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 11 October 2008 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=110, accessed 27 November 2024.]

Ann Radcliffe, The Mysteries of Udolpho

Dates

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