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Narratives of Sorcery and Magic 2 Volume Set: From the Most Authentic Sources
The English historian and antiquary Thomas Wright (1810–70) co-founded and joined a number of antiquarian and literary societies. He was greatly interested in Old English, Middle English and Anglo-Norman texts, and in the 1840s and 1850s he published widely within these areas. Gradually his focus shifted to the archaeology of Roman Britain and to Anglo-Saxon cemeteries. Although much of Wright's research has been completely superseded, his work is still considered worth consulting, as he collected material not readily available elsewhere. This 1851 publication is testimony to Wright's interest in folklore, sorcery and legend. Volume 1 deals with European sorcery, and sixteenth-century English characters such as Dr John Dee; it also examines the legend of Dr Faustus. Volume 2 surveys the seventeenth century, and includes such important instances as the alleged demonic possession of the Ursuline nuns of Loudun, and the witchcraft hysteria which led to the Salem Witch Trials.
716 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1852
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About the author
Thomas Wright
1,154 books17 followersThomas Wright was an English antiquarian and writer. Wright was born near Ludlow, Shropshire, descended from a Quaker family formerly living at Bradford. He was educated at Ludlow Grammar School and at Trinity College, Cambridge, whence he graduated in 1834.
While at Cambridge he contributed to the Gentleman's Magazine and other periodicals, and in 1835 he came to London to devote himself to a literary career.
His first separate work was Early English Poetry in Black Letter, with Prefaces and Notes (1836, 4 vols. 12mo), which was followed during the next forty years by an extensive series of publications, many of lasting value. He helped to found the British Archaeological Association and the Percy, Camden and Shakespeare Societies. In 1842 he was elected corresponding member of the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles Lettres of Paris, and was a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries as well as member of many other learned British and foreign bodies.
In 1859 he superintended the excavations of the Roman town of Viroconium Cornoviorum (Wroxeter), near Shrewsbury, and issued a report.
A portrait of him is in the Drawing Room Portrait Gallery for 1 October 1859.
He was a great scholar, but will be chiefly remembered as an industrious antiquary and the editor of many relics of the Middle Ages.
While at Cambridge he contributed to the Gentleman's Magazine and other periodicals, and in 1835 he came to London to devote himself to a literary career.
His first separate work was Early English Poetry in Black Letter, with Prefaces and Notes (1836, 4 vols. 12mo), which was followed during the next forty years by an extensive series of publications, many of lasting value. He helped to found the British Archaeological Association and the Percy, Camden and Shakespeare Societies. In 1842 he was elected corresponding member of the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles Lettres of Paris, and was a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries as well as member of many other learned British and foreign bodies.
In 1859 he superintended the excavations of the Roman town of Viroconium Cornoviorum (Wroxeter), near Shrewsbury, and issued a report.
A portrait of him is in the Drawing Room Portrait Gallery for 1 October 1859.
He was a great scholar, but will be chiefly remembered as an industrious antiquary and the editor of many relics of the Middle Ages.
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