kids encyclopedia robot

Charles Bucke facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Charles Bucke
Born (1781-04-16)16 April 1781
Worlington, Suffolk, England England
Died 31 July 1846(1846-07-31) (aged 65)
Pulteney-terrace, Islington England England
Occupation Poet, writer, Philosophical observer, playwright

Charles Bucke (born April 16, 1781 – died July 31, 1846) was an English writer. He worked very hard throughout his life, even though he didn't have much money. He wrote about eleven different books and plays on many interesting topics.

About Charles Bucke

We don't know a lot about Charles Bucke's daily life. But people remember him for two main things: his amazing writing about nature and a big disagreement he had with a famous actor named Edmund Kean.

Charles Bucke spent more than thirty years writing and rewriting his books. He would often take his published works back to edit them again and again. This meant some of his books were released with different titles. For example, his two-book series "The Philosophy of Nature" later became a four-book series called "On the Beauties, Harmonies, and Sublimities of Nature." Both books talked about how nature affects our feelings and thoughts.

A Big Disagreement

While writing, Charles Bucke sometimes had arguments with other writers. He even had a big problem with the actor Edmund Kean.

In 1817, Bucke wrote a play called "The Italians, or; The Fatal Accusation." A theatre in London, Drury Lane, accepted his play and planned to perform it. However, the theatre closed for three weeks when Princess Charlotte passed away. Bucke agreed to let another play be performed first, one that might better suit the sad mood of the public.

After many delays, and even though the theatre managers said they liked his play, something strange happened. The actor Edmund Kean made a comment. He thought another actress had a better part than him. He wanted his role to be rewritten to be more important. This surprised Bucke a lot.

The theatre decided to focus on another play by Jane Porter instead. Kean didn't like Jane Porter's play. When her play was performed, it seemed like the actors and staff were against it. It was a big failure and was not shown again.

After seeing this, and remembering Kean's strange behavior, Bucke asked the theatre to pull his play. But the theatre committee and their supporters still wanted "The Italians" to be performed. So, Bucke republished his play. He added a special introduction explaining what had happened with Kean and the theatre. This led to more arguments, and two books were even written to challenge Bucke's story.

In the end, Charles Bucke's play was performed on April 3, 1819. But it didn't do well. This was partly because of all the drama surrounding Kean's dislike for the play and his behavior.

The End of His Life

Charles Bucke passed away on July 31, 1846. He was 65 years old. He left behind his wife, two sons, and two daughters.

kids search engine
Charles Bucke Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.