Sterne

Sterne, LAURENCE (1713-68), author of Tristram Shandy, was the son of an army officer, and was born at Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, where his father was stationed. He was the grandson of an archbishop, and of very good family. His mother was a native of Clonmel. He was sent to Cambridge University for his education, and graduated M.A. there in 1740. He was ordained, and received through his uncle, the Rev. Dr. Sterne, a living at Sutton, to which was added subsequently a prebend at York. He also obtained later the rectory of Stillington and the curacy of Coxwold, where he lived for some years quietly enough. His wit was maturing slowly, and few of his neighbours were aware of his possession of that unique quality of humour which he afterwards shed profusely in all his works. Occasionally, however, his sermons approached levity, and were sometimes marked by that suggestiveness which is peculiar to him. His only humorous production of this period was a work entitled The History of a Watch Coat, a satire on a voracious church dignitary at York. The year 1759 is notable as the date of publication of the first two volumes of his Tristram Shandy. The work immediately attracted much attention, and was praised and blamed in all directions. Its grossness shocked many, its extraordinary humour and feeling delighted others, and its art of discursiveness created surprise everywhere. Emboldened by the success of the first two volumes, Sterne went on with the work, producing a couple of volumes now and again, till the completion of the work in 1767. In 1768 he issued his Sentimental Journey, which won instant popularity, and made even more admirers than Tristram Shandy. It has remained a classic to this day, and though not free from grossness, it is less diffuse, and contains many exquisite touches. A host of imitators of Sterne have arisen in England, France, and Germany, but they rarely reach the height of Sterne at his best. His Sermons, which were published before his Sentimental Journey, whatever their faults may be, are at least not dull or heavy. Many biographies of Sterne have been written, that by Leslie Stephen being perhaps the best.