Author. Thomas Bowdler received notoriety as a 19th century English author of "The Family Shakespeare," which was volumes of William Shakespeare's work, rewritten by this author in a more polite language for the Victorian English public. Removing all the rude words of Shakespeare, he "Bowdlerised" all these historical literary pieces. "My object is to offer these plays to the public in such a state that they may be read with pleasure in all companies, and placed without danger in the hands of every person who is capable of understanding them." The word "Bowdlerised" was coined in 1836, after his death. Previously the many editions of Shakespeare, which had been amended in this way, were referred to as "castrated". He studied to become a physician at St. Andrews and Edinburgh Universities in Scotland, graduating in 1776 with a thesis on fevers. Although he was elected as a Fellow to the Royal Society in 1881 and a member of the Royal College of Physicians, he only practiced for a short time. He was well-traveled and considered a respected, learned man. At the at age of 53, he married but the marriage was an unhappy one, thus the couple separated two years later. Besides his Shakespearean writings, he "Bowdlerised" the "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire," which was published posthumously in 1826. His nephew published his biography.
Author. Thomas Bowdler received notoriety as a 19th century English author of "The Family Shakespeare," which was volumes of William Shakespeare's work, rewritten by this author in a more polite language for the Victorian English public. Removing all the rude words of Shakespeare, he "Bowdlerised" all these historical literary pieces. "My object is to offer these plays to the public in such a state that they may be read with pleasure in all companies, and placed without danger in the hands of every person who is capable of understanding them." The word "Bowdlerised" was coined in 1836, after his death. Previously the many editions of Shakespeare, which had been amended in this way, were referred to as "castrated". He studied to become a physician at St. Andrews and Edinburgh Universities in Scotland, graduating in 1776 with a thesis on fevers. Although he was elected as a Fellow to the Royal Society in 1881 and a member of the Royal College of Physicians, he only practiced for a short time. He was well-traveled and considered a respected, learned man. At the at age of 53, he married but the marriage was an unhappy one, thus the couple separated two years later. Besides his Shakespearean writings, he "Bowdlerised" the "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire," which was published posthumously in 1826. His nephew published his biography.
Bio by: Linda Davis
Inscription
Sacred
To the memory of
Thomas Bowdler, Esqr.
Youngest son of Thomas Bowdler, Esqr.
of Ashley Near Bath
Born at Ashley July 11, 1754
and died at Rhyddings Near Swansea
Febry 24, 1825
He was a sincere member of
the established Church of England
Putting away lying, speak every
man truth with his neighbour for
we are members one of another
Ephes. Chap IV, Verse 25
Advertisement
See more Bowdler memorials in:
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
