Thomas Skinner Surr facts for kids

Thomas Skinner Surr (1770–1847) was an English writer who wrote many novels. His most famous book was A Winter in London, published in 1806. This popular story about life in fancy London started a new type of book called "season novels." It also influenced other popular books in the 1820s and 1830s.

About Thomas Skinner Surr

Thomas Skinner Surr was born in 1770. His father, John Surr, was a grocer. His mother, Elizabeth, was the sister of Thomas Skinner, who became the Mayor of London in 1794. Thomas was baptized on October 20, 1770.

He started school at Christ's Hospital on June 18, 1778. He left school in 1785. After school, he began working at the Bank of England as a clerk. He eventually became the head of the drawing office there.

Thomas Surr married Mary Ann Griffiths on August 13, 1799. She was the sister-in-law of a publisher named Richard Phillips. Thomas Surr passed away at his home on February 15, 1847.

Thomas Surr's Books

Thomas Surr wrote several novels. Some of his books include Consequences (1796), The Magic of Wealth (1815), and Richmond, or, Scenes in the Life of a Bow Street Officer (1827). Some of his stories were even translated into French or German. People who study literature often call him one of the most famous writers of "fashionable life" novels.

The Story of George Barnwell

One of Surr's novels was George Barnwell; or, The Merchant's Clerk, published in 1798. This book was based on a play from 1731 called The London Merchant. The play itself was inspired by an old song from the 1600s. A famous actress named Sarah Siddons inspired Surr to write this novel.

In the story, a young man named Barnwell is caught between two paths. His parents want him to work, but his friend, Mr. Mental, encourages his intellectual interests. Mr. Mental is a philosopher with modern ideas. Surr used this character to show his own traditional views. The story also includes a mysterious subplot about an old abbey. In the end, Barnwell is caught and dies.

The Popular A Winter in London

Surr's most famous novel was A Winter in London, or Sketches of Fashion. This book was a huge success and was printed thirteen times! The story mixes romance, fancy society life, and a bit of mystery.

The plot begins with a baby named Edward who survives a shipwreck. He is adopted by the Dickens family. The first part of the book shows Edward's childhood. In the second part, he enters London's high society. A doctor helps him understand the world and offers funny comments. There is also a side story about Edward's real father and his inheritance. In the end, Edward gets his rightful family money back and marries one of the Dickens daughters.

The book was very popular because it showed what life was like for rich, upper-class people. One character, the Duchess of Belgrave, was a funny copy of a real person, Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. The Duchess of Belgrave is easily tricked and robbed in the story. The real Georgiana was very upset by this portrayal. Some people even thought the book made her health worse.

A Winter in London described how wealthy people spent their money. This interested many middle-class readers. However, Surr also had traditional views. He often criticized people who became rich very quickly. The book also paid a lot of attention to clothing. This focus on clothes may have influenced other famous writers like Maria Edgeworth and Walter Scott.

A Winter in London is an example of a "fashionable novel." It came between earlier novels like Frances Burney's Evelina and the "silver fork" novels of the 1820s and 1830s. Because of its success, a new type of book called the "season novel" became popular for a few years. These books, like Surr's, often had titles that included a short time period and a fancy location. Many of them also made fun of upper-class life.

Other Writings

Thomas Surr also wrote a poem called "Christ's Hospital: a Poem" in 1797. This poem celebrated his time at the school. He also wrote three short books about banking. One of these books argued against another writer who criticized the Bank of England. Surr's book, published in 1801, stated that the Bank of England was independent from the government. Some people say this book was an early idea for how banks work today.