Robert Bage facts for kids

Robert Bage (born March 11, 1730, died September 1, 1801) was an English businessman who also became a well-known writer of novels.

Robert Bage's Life Story

Robert Bage was born in Darley Abbey, a town near Derby, England. His father made paper for a living. Robert's mother passed away shortly after he was born.

He went to a regular school in Derby and was a very good student. By the time he was seven, he already knew some Latin. He learned how to make paper by working as an apprentice for his father. An apprentice is someone who learns a skill or trade by working with an experienced person.

When Robert was 23, he married a young woman who was both beautiful and wealthy. This helped him financially. He then started his own paper-making business in Elford, Staffordshire. He ran this business for the rest of his life.

Business Ventures and New Interests

Robert Bage was a skilled businessman. His business ran so smoothly that he had time for other interests. He taught himself French by reading books. He also studied mathematics on his own.

In 1765, he joined a business partnership. This partnership was for an iron foundry, which is a place where metal is melted and shaped. He worked with three other men, including Erasmus Darwin. After 14 years, the partnership ended. Robert lost a lot of money, more than 1,000 pounds, which was a huge amount back then.

To help make up for this loss, Robert decided to start writing books. He published his first novel, Mount Henneth, in 1781.

Later Life and Family

In 1793, Robert Bage moved from Elford to nearby Tamworth. He passed away in 1801. His wife and two of their sons were still alive. Another son, John, had died when he was young, which was very sad for Robert.

His oldest son, Charles, moved to Shrewsbury. There, he became a cotton manufacturer. His youngest son, Edward, became a surgeon, a type of doctor who performs operations.

Robert Bage's Books and Ideas

Robert Bage did not start writing novels until he was 53 years old. But in the next 15 years, he wrote six novels. A famous writer named Sir Walter Scott said that Bage's books showed a "strong mind, playful fancy, and extensive knowledge."

Scott even included some of Bage's novels in his own book series. These included Mount Henneth (1781), Barham Downs (1784), and James Wallace (1792).

His Beliefs and Public Life

Robert Bage grew up as a Quaker. Quakers are a religious group known for their peaceful beliefs. However, after the French Revolution, Robert became a "philosophical and religious radical." This means he had strong, new ideas about society and religion.

He believed in democracy, where people have a say in their government. He also believed in equality, meaning everyone should be treated the same. He wanted to get rid of the "peerage," which was a system where some people had special titles and power just because they were born into certain families. He also thought that the government and religious organizations should be separate.

Robert was a member of the Derby Philosophical Society. He was also connected to the Lunar Society of Birmingham. These were groups where smart people met to discuss science and new ideas.

His Most Famous Novel: Hermsprong

Today, Robert Bage is mostly known for his last novel, Hermsprong. This book was considered very bold and new when it came out.

The story is about an American character who grew up with American Indians. He had no formal schooling or religious teaching. Instead, nature was his teacher. Because of this, he could see through the fake parts of English society and manners.

The novel explores the idea of the "noble savage." This is a concept that suggests people who live close to nature, away from "civilized" society, are purer and more honest. It also talks about "nativism" or "innatism," which is the idea that some knowledge or ideas are present in us from birth, rather than learned.