An Autobiography

Anthony Trollope was one of the most successful and prolific novelists of the Victorian age, but he spent most of his working life as a civil servant in the General Post Office. His autobiography, written in 1875 and 1876 and published after his death, tells the story of how he turned a miserable, poorly paid clerkship into a celebrated literary career. It is a frank, practical, and often funny account of a writer's life, offering candid opinions on the craft of fiction, the business of publishing, and the literary figures of his day.

This book is for anyone interested in Victorian literature, the history of the Post Office, or the working habits of a great storyteller. Trollope describes his unhappy school days, his transformative years in Ireland, his daily writing routine, and his travels on postal business. He also sets out his views on what makes a good novel and assesses his contemporaries, including Thackeray and Dickens.

This edition contains the complete text of An Autobiography, a new introduction, a guide to key ideas, a summary of the book, notes on major themes, a glossary of period terms, and questions for discussion. It is designed for general readers, students, and book clubs who want to understand Trollope and his world.