The History of Sir Richard Calmady: A Romance

First published in 1901, The History of Sir Richard Calmady was Lucas Malet's breakout triumph—a sweeping family saga that captivated readers in Britain and America. At its heart is Richard Calmady, heir to an ancient Kentish estate, born with a deformity that shapes his sense of self and shadows every relationship he forms. Spanning generations at the great house of Calmady, the novel explores disability, desire, faith, and the long, difficult work of becoming whole. Malet—daughter of Charles Kingsley, writing under a male pseudonym—brings psychological insight and richly textured prose to a story ahead of its time in its humane portrayal of physical difference. This edition presents the COMPLETE, UNABRIDGED original text, faithful to the first edition, together with a new introduction and reader's notes illuminating the novel's context and legacy. Part of The Founding Texts Library.