Author: Ernest Rhys

Samuel Butler (1835–1902) was a versatile English author, whose intellectual curiosity led him to explore various literary forms and genres in the 19th century. Although sometimes confused with his 17th-century namesake, the satirist who penned “Hudibras, ” this Butler is perhaps best known for his satirical utopian novel “Erewhon” and the semi-autobiographical “The Way of All Flesh.” He was a man of wide-ranging interests as evidenced in “The Atlas of Ancient and Classical Geography” (1907), which provided a comprehensive view of the lands known to the ancients, merging his enthusiasm for classical studies and his keen eye for detail. This work reflects Butler”s scrupulous approach to literature and scholarship alike, offering valuable insight into the ancient world. Butler”s literary style often combined a sharp wit with a critical eye, keen to question orthodoxies and traditional social mores. His writings frequently mirrored the cutting-edge thought of his time, questioning the established narratives and seeking to understand human behavior and institutions in the context of evolution, long before such ideas were widely accepted. His contributions to the landscape of English literature continue to be appreciated for their foresightedness and intellectual vigor.