Charles Kingsley: Faith, Flesh, and Fantasy

Charles Kingsley was a Victorian polymath who was a novelist, poet, Anglican priest, and controversialist. He epitomizes the bustling Victorian man of faith and letters, a prolific polymath as ready to break a lance with John Henry Newman over Christian doctrine as he was to preach to schoolchildren on the virtues of manly, physical struggle. His novels, such as "The Water-Babies" and "Westward Ho!", were best-sellers and became classics of children's literature. Kingsley is harder to categorize than one might think, as he was a socialist who was also an imperialist, a Chartist revolutionary who was Queen Victoria's favorite novelist, a natural theologian who popularized Darwin, and a priest who celebrated sex as a sacrament. This book aims to present the whole man, considering his public crusades for public health alongside his private fantasies of sexual intercourse, and his ardent imperialist alongside his Darwinist. It will be of interest to all students of Victorian studies, as well as of British/Imperial history, church history, and especially the history of science.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 268 pages
Publication date: 01 August 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Charles Kingsley (1819-75) was a remarkable figure who embodied the vibrant spirit of the Victorian era, combining his roles as a novelist, poet, Anglican priest, and controversialist. He was a prolific polymath, equally at ease engaging in spirited debates with John Henry Newman on Christian doctrine as he was in delivering sermons to schoolchildren on the importance of physical struggle. Kingsley's literary masterpieces, such as "The Water-Babies" and "Westward Ho!", achieved immense popularity and became timeless classics of children's literature. However, a deeper examination of Kingsley's life reveals a complex and multifaceted individual. He was a socialist who also held imperialist beliefs, a Chartist revolutionary who was favored by Queen Victoria, a natural theologian who popularized Darwin's theories, and a priest who celebrated sex as a sacred sacrament. Kingsley's multifaceted personality makes him challenging to categorize, and his influence extends far beyond his literary contributions. His debates on faith and sexuality, economics and exploitation, race and identity, continue to resonate with us today.

The purpose of this book is to present a comprehensive portrait of Kingsley, exploring both his public crusades for public health and his most private fantasies of sexual intercourse. It seeks to examine the ardent imperialist alongside the Darwinist, shedding light on the multifaceted nature of this remarkable man. This work will be of immense interest to students of Victorian studies, British/Imperial history, church history, and the history of science, as it provides a fresh perspective on a pivotal period in history.

In conclusion, Charles Kingsley was a towering figure of the Victorian era, whose diverse talents and passions left an indelible mark on literature, religion, and society. His life and work continue to inspire and challenge us, reminding us of the complexities and contradictions that characterized this fascinating period. By examining his public and private endeavors, this book seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of Kingsley and his enduring legacy.

Weight: 530g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367679323