Richard Graves facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Richard Graves
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Richard Graves by James Northcote, 1799.
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| Born | 4 May 1715 Mickleton, Gloucestershire
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| Died | 23 November 1804 (aged 89) Claverton, Somerset
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Richard Graves (born May 4, 1715 – died November 23, 1804) was an English writer. He was a cleric (a church leader), a poet, and a novelist. He is best known for his funny adventure novel called The Spiritual Quixote, which came out in 1773. This book is a type of story known as a picaresque novel, which means it follows a clever but sometimes mischievous hero on a journey.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Richard Graves was born at Mickleton Manor in Mickleton, Gloucestershire. His father, also named Richard Graves, was interested in old things and history. Richard had two brothers, Morgan and Charles Caspar.
Richard first went to a school run by William Smith in Mickleton. Later, he attended John Roysse's Free School in Abingdon. This school is now known as Abingdon School.
Studying at Oxford University
In 1732, Richard Graves earned a scholarship to Pembroke College, Oxford. A scholarship helps pay for your studies. He earned his first degree (a Bachelor of Arts) in 1736. On the same day, George Whitefield, who later became a famous religious leader, also got his degree.
Later that year, Graves was chosen for a special position at All Souls College. He was briefly involved with a religious group called the Holy Club. However, he decided not to join their new religious movement, which became known as Methodism.
After Oxford, Graves went to London to study medicine. But he got sick and returned to Oxford. He earned his master's degree in 1740 and became an ordained minister.
Becoming a Church Minister
Richard Graves became a curate (a type of minister) in Tissington in Derbyshire. He worked for William Fitzherbert, a friend of his older brother. For three years, Graves was the family chaplain at Tissington Hall. He explored the area, which he later wrote about in his main novel.
After leaving Tissington, he traveled north. In Scarborough, he met a distant relative, Samuel Knight. Knight helped him get another curate job in Aldworth, near Reading, Berkshire. He moved there in 1744. The church house needed repairs, so he lived with a farmer named Mr. Bartholomew. Richard later married Mr. Bartholomew's daughter, Lucy.
Because he got married, Richard Graves automatically lost his special position at All Souls College in January 1749.
Later Life and Career
For a while, Richard Graves didn't have much money. But in 1748, he became the rector (another type of church leader) of Claverton, near Bath, Somerset. He moved there in 1750 and lived there for the rest of his life.
Ralph Allen, a wealthy local man, helped Graves get another church position in Kilmersdon in 1763. Allen also helped him become a chaplain to Mary Townshend, Countess Chatham. Around 1793, Graves also briefly held the rectory of Croscombe.
Richard Graves also taught students for 30 years, alongside raising his own children. He gradually became more successful. He was known for being a Whig (a political group) and enjoyed spending time with many different people. He was often a guest at Prior Park, the home of Ralph Allen. He also took part in literary gatherings at Anna, Lady Miller's house.
Richard Graves passed away on November 23, 1804. He was buried in the local church on December 1. A special plaque was placed there to remember him.
Friends and Connections
Richard Graves had many interesting friends and connections throughout his life.
Friends from Oxford
Some of his college friends at Oxford included William Blackstone, Richard Jago, William Hawkins, and William Shenstone. Shenstone became a very close friend. Graves later wrote a book called Recollections about Shenstone. Shenstone even wrote poems dedicated to Graves.
Notable Students and Acquaintances
While at Tissington Hall, Graves met important people like Charles Pratt and Sir Edward Wilmot. He also worked as a private tutor for famous people like Prince Hoare and Thomas Malthus.
He was good friends with Anthony Whistler, Ralph Allen, and William Warburton. Ralph Allen Warburton, the bishop's son, and author Henry Skrine were also some of his students.
Richard Graves's Writings
Richard Graves was a busy writer. He collected poems, translated books from other languages, wrote essays, and sent many letters.
The Spiritual Quixote
Graves's most important book is the picaresque novel The Spiritual Quixote, published in 1773. It's a funny story that makes fun of some religious movements of his time, especially Methodism. He saw these movements as a challenge to the traditional Anglican Church.
The full title of the book was The Spiritual Quixote, or the Summer's Ramble of Mr. Geoffry Wildgoose, a Comic Romance. It was very popular and had several editions. The story makes fun of ordinary people trying to act like church leaders and the strong emotions of some Methodists.
The main character, Geoffry Wildgoose, is thought to be based on different people, including Graves's own brother, Charles Caspar Graves. The idea for the novel came from a shoemaker from Bradford-on-Avon who held a religious meeting in Claverton. In the book, Wildgoose travels to places like Bath, Bristol, and the Peak District.
Other Works by Graves
From a young age, Graves wrote poems for magazines. Some of his poems appeared in collections by other writers. He also wrote several plays. His prose (non-poetry) books were popular during his lifetime. Here are some of his other works:
- The Festoon; a Collection of Epigrams (1766) – A collection of short, witty poems.
- Galateo, or a Treatise on Politeness (1774) – A translation of a book about good manners.
- The Love of Order; a Poetical Essay (1773) – A poem about the importance of order.
- Euphrosyne; or Amusements on the Road of Life (1776) – A collection of entertaining pieces.
- Columella; or the Distressed Anchoret, a Colloquial Tale (1779) – A story that suggests an active life is better than a quiet country life.
- Eugenius; or Anecdotes of the Golden Vale (1785) – A story about life in a Welsh valley.
- Recollections of some particulars in the Life of the late William Shenstone (1788) – His memories of his close friend, William Shenstone.
- Meditations of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (1792) – A new translation of the famous philosophical writings by Marcus Aurelius.
- The Reveries of Solitude (1793) – Essays and poems written while reflecting in solitude.
- The Coalition; or the Opera Rehearsed, a Comedy (1794) – A play.
- Sermons (1799) – A collection of his church sermons.
- The Invalid (1804) – A book about staying healthy and living a long life, written when he was almost 90.
- The Triflers (1805) – A collection of short, lighthearted essays and poems, published after his death.
Graves also wrote an essay on "grumbling" for a collection called Olla Podrida.
Family Life
Richard Graves married Lucy Bartholomew in August 1747. She was a farmer's daughter from Aldworth. They ran away to London to get married. Lucy was younger than him and had not had much schooling, so he sent her to a private school before they married. At first, his friends were surprised by his marriage, but they eventually accepted it.
Richard and Lucy had four sons, including Richard, Morgan, and Danvers, and one daughter. His grandson, Richard Charles Head Graves, later became a vicar (a type of minister) in Great Malvern.
Images for kids
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Richard Graves by James Northcote, 1799.
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The Spiritual Quixote, vol.1, 1774
See also
- List of Old Abingdonians
- In Spanish: Richard Graves para niños
