Richard Middleton Criticism
Richard Middleton (1882-1911) was an English short story writer, essayist, and poet, best known for his much-anthologized story "The Ghost Ship." His literary career, marked by a moderate degree of success in early 20th-century England, reflects his struggle with the perceived indifference of his country towards artistic pursuits. Tragically, Middleton's life ended in suicide at the age of 29, a fact that posthumously colored critical perceptions of him as a quintessential Romantic artist—gifted, sensitive, yet underestimated during his lifetime.
Middleton's writings often appeared in prominent English periodicals, and after his death, his works were compiled, elevating his status within literary circles. Born in Staines, Middlesex, he was academically inclined, yet instead of following a traditional academic path, he worked in the Royal Exchange Assurance Corporation before pursuing a literary career as part of the "New Bohemians" in London. Despite his efforts, recognition largely eluded him during his lifetime, leading him to seek inspiration abroad, ultimately resulting in his untimely death in Brussels.
His major works include posthumous collections like The Ghost Ship, and Other Stories and Poems and Songs, curated by his friend Henry Savage. Middleton's essays, often reflective of late 19th-century literary perspectives, and his autobiographical writing, showcased in The Day Before Yesterday, reveal his talent for capturing childhood experiences. His poetry, echoing the style of the 1890s, and his short stories, often dealing with themes of death and neglect, showcase his artistic range. "The Ghost Ship," in particular, has been celebrated for its blend of humor and the supernatural.
Critical reception of Middleton has varied, with some praising his technical skill and sensitivity, as noted in reviews like Richard Middleton, and others critiquing the sentimental nature of his work, as in Poet Who Failed. His prose has been lauded for its strength, although his poetry has been described as lacking vigor, as observed by W. MacKenzie in The Works of Richard Middleton. While his posthumous reputation has grown, critiques like A Suicide's Book offer a less favorable view of his essays. Nonetheless, Middleton remains a figure of note, appreciated for his delicate sensibility and literary promise, as sympathetically appraised by S.P.B. Mais.
Contents
- Principal Works
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Essays
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The Works of Richard Middleton
(summary)
In the following review of Poems and Songs and The Ghost Ship, and Other Stories, MacKenzie lauds the strength of Middleton's prose while suggesting that his poetry lacks "nerve and vigour."
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Richard Middleton
(summary)
In the following review, the critic characterizes Poems and Songs and The Ghost Ship, and Other Stories as 'remarkable,' praising Middleton's technical excellence and sensitivity.
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Poet Who Failed
(summary)
In the following review of Middleton's verse and prose, the critic asserts that Middleton's works were published and given critical attention primarily because of the author's suicide.
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Monologues
(summary)
In the following essay, Middleton reveals his idealistic approach to writing and discusses his views on the value of the essay as a literary genre.
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A Suicide's Book
(summary)
In the following review of Monologues, he offers a negative appraisal of Middleton's posthumously published collection of essays.
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Richard Middleton: Ad Memoriam
(summary)
Harris recalls his impressions of Middleton, describing him as a big man with a self-possessed demeanor, noting his casual approach to editing and his surprising talent as a poet, which he discovered through their interactions.
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Richard Middleton
(summary)
In the following excerpt from an essay originally published in The Fortnightly Review, October, 1922, Ellis discusses Henry Savage's assessment of Middleton's life and work.
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Richard Middleton
(summary)
Mais was a prolific English writer, editor, and critic. In the following excerpt, he offers a sympathetic appraisal of Middleton's works.
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Richard Middleton
(summary)
In the following essay, Chapman offers a negative assessment of Middleton's poetry.
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An introduction to The Pantomime Man
(summary)
Douglas was an English poet, critic, and editor. In the following introduction to The Pantomime Man, he characterizes Middleton's poetry as exquisite, and contends that he, rather than Vanity Fair editor Frank Harris, was the first to publish Middleton's work.
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A Spectral Beauty: The Writings of Richard Middleton
(summary)
In the following excerpt, she offers a thematic overview of Middleton's poetry, essays, and short stories.
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The Works of Richard Middleton
(summary)
- Further Reading