Charles Kingsley was a 19th century British novelist. Kingsley became a minister before becoming a Professor of Modern History at the University of Cambridge. Kingsley often used his writing to champion social issues. Sir Walter Raleigh (c. 1552 - 29 October 1618) was an English aristocrat, writer, poet, soldier, courtier, and explorer. He took part in the suppression of two rebellions and participated in two infamous massacres at Rathlin Island and Smerwick. He later became a landlord of lands confiscated from the Irish. In 1585 he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth. Raleigh was involved in the colonization of Virginia. In 1591 he secretly married Elizabeth Throckmorton, one of the Queen's ladies-in-waiting, without requesting the Queen's permission, for which he and his wife were sent to the Tower of London. After his release, they retired to his estate at Sherborne, Dorset.
As a young man, Kingsley was influenced by The Kingdom of Christ (1838) by Frederick Denison Maurice. Originally intended for the legal profession, he changed his mind and chose to pursue a ministry in the church.
In 1850 Kingsley novel Alton Locke was published. The book attempted to expose the social injustice suffered by agricultural labourers and workers in the clothing trade. In Alton Locke Kingsley also describes the Chartist campaign that he was involved with in the 1840s.
Kingsley's life was written by his widow in 1877, entitled Charles Kingsley, his Letters and Memories of his Life, and presents a very touching and beautiful picture of her husband, but perhaps hardly does justice to his humour, his wit, his overflowing vitality and boyish fun.
Charles Kingsley was born in Holne (Devon), the son of a vicar. His brother, Henry Kingsley, also became a novelist. He spent his childhood in Clovelly, Devon and was educated at Magdalene College, Cambridge, before choosing to pursue a ministry in the church. From 1844, he was rector of Eversley in Hampshire, and in 1860, he was appointed Regius Professor of Modern History at the University of Cambridge.
Kingsley's interest in history spilled over into his writings, which include The Heroes (1856), a children's book about Greek mythology, and several historical novels, of which the best known are Hypatia (1853), Hereward the Wake (1865), and Westward Ho! (1855).
In 1872 Kingsley accepted the Presidency of the Birmingham and Midland Institute and became its 19th President.
Kingsley died in 1875 and was buried in St Mary's Churchyard in Eversley.
... Show more