A Chronology of William Harrison Ainsworth (1805-1882) (original) (raw)

1805

William Harrison Ainsworth was born in Manchester, February 4.

1817

A solicitor's son, he entered the Manchester Free Grammar School at age twelve with a view to studying law.

1820

Began writing plays.

1821

First appearance in print: The Rivals, a Serio-Comic Tragedy, published under the pseudonym "T. Hall" in the Pocket Magazine.

1822

Left the Grammar School. Began the study of law. Dedicated his first book, pseudonymously published, to Lamb:The Maid's Revenge; and A Summer's Evening Tale; with Other Poems "By Cheviot Ticheburn."

1824

After the death of his father, he left Manchester for London to study law.

1826

Admitted as a qualified solicitor. Publication of his first novel Sir John Chiverton (in collaboration with J. P. Aston). Married Anne Frances ("Fanny") Ebers, a publisher's daughter, on October 11.

1827

Birth of his first child, Fanny.

1829

Birth of his second child, Emily.

1830

Having abandoned publishing, he began the practice of law. Birth of his third child, Anne Blanche. He then began his association with the new Fraser's Magazine.

1834

Published first significant novel, Rookwood; like six other Ainsworth novels, this was illustrated by George Cruikshank. The tale of highwayman Dick Turpin was so successful that Dickens alluded to it in Sketches by Boz.

1835

Separation from his wife.

1836

Probably through John Macrone (1809-37), then editor of Bentley's Miscellany , Ainsworth met Charles Dickens. Ainsworth introduced the younger writer to Count d'Orsay, novelist Sir Edward G. D. Bulwer-Lytton, artist Daniel Maclise, dramatist Thomas N. Talford, and journalist John Forster. For the next four years Forster, Dickens, and Ainsworth were much in company, especially at dinners which Ainsworth hosted at Kensal Lodge.

1837

Published his second important novel, Crichton.

1838

Death of his wife, March 6.

1839

Ainsworth published his best-seller, the Newgate novel Jack Sheppard, illustrated by George Cruikshank. Ainsworth's hero, a housebreaker, jail-breaker, and womanizer, was much admired among the general public for his daring. In March, Ainsworth became editor of Bentley's Miscellany.

1840

Published The Tower of London, illustrated by Cruikshank; began serial publication of Guy Fawkes.

1841

Guy Fawkes appeared in volume form. He published Old Saint Paul's. In December, he resigned editorship of Bentley's Miscellany.

1842

Inception of Ainsworth's Magazine, February. Published The Miser's Daughter, il. Cruikshank. Began serial publication of Windsor Castle, based on the legend of Herne the Hunter.

1843

Published Windsor Castle in volume form.

1844

Saint James's. Began serial publication of Auriol under the title Revelations of London.

1845

Purchased the New Monthly Magazine, in June, and edited it.

1847

Serial publication of James the Second.

1848

James the Second appeared in volume form. Serial publication of The Lancashire Witches began.

1849

The Lancashire Witches appeared in volume form.

1851

Begins publication in parts of The Life and Adventures of Mervyn Clitheroe.

1853

Serial publication of The Star-Chamber. Moves from London. The serial publication of The Flitch of Baconbegan.

1854

Volume editions of The Star-Chamber and The Flitch of Bacon. Purchased Bentley's Miscellany. Ainsworth's Magazine ceased publication. At this time, Ainsworth moved to Brighton.

1855

The serial publication of The Spendthrift began. Ballads, illustrated by Sir John Gilbert, published.

1857

Volume edition of The Spendthrift published.

1858

Volume edition of Mervyn Clitheroe.

1859

The Combat of the Thirty. Began serial publication of Ovingdean Grange.

1860

Ovingdean Grange appeared in volume form.

1861

The Constable of the Tower published.

1862

The Lord Mayor of London. The serial publication of Cardinal Pole began.

1863

Cardinal Pole appeared in volume form. The serial publication of John Law began.

1864

The volume edition of John Law. The serial publication of The Spanish Match as The House of Seven Chimneys began.

1865

Volume editions of The Spanish Match and Auriol. The serial publication of The Constable de Bourbon began.

1866

Volume edition of The Constable de Bourbon. The serial publication of Old Court began.

1867

Volume edition of Old Court. Begins serial publication of Myddleton Pomfret.

1868

Volume edition of Myddleton Pomfret . He sells Bentley's Miscellany back to Bentley. Serial publication of The South-Sea Bubble .

1869

Serial publication of Hilary St. Ives.

1870

Volume edition of Hilary St. Ives. Serial publication of Talbot Harland . Resigns editorship of New Monthly Magazine.

1871

Tower Hill. Volume editions of The South-Sea Bubble and Talbot Harland.

1872

Boscobel.

1873

The Good Old Times, titled The Manchester Rebels of the Fatal'45 in subsequent editions.

1874

Merry England. Serial publication of The Goldsmith's Wife.

1875

Volume edition of The Goldsmith's Wife. Preston Fight.

1876

The Leaguer of Lathom and Chetwynd Calverley.

1877

The Full of Somerset.

1878

Beatrice Tyldesley.

1879

Beau Nash.

1881

Stanley Brereton. Honored at a banquet in the Manchester Town Hall, September 15.

1882

William Harrison Ainsworth dies at Reigate, January 3. He is buried at Kensal Green Cemetery, London.