Charles Kingsley, The Water Babies

Kris Swank (University of Glasgow)

Ed. by Dimitra Fimi, University of Glasgow
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.2.1.07: English Writing and Culture of the Victorian Period, 1837-1901.
Vol. editors: Gillian Fenwick (University of Toronto), Jessica Gossling (Goldsmiths College, University of London)

Dates

First circulation or publication 1862 - 1863

Places

England (Country of Origin)

Genres and Modes

Children's Literature

Resources

Save to Bookshelf

Recommended Reading

One of the most popular children’s books of the Victorian era (1837-1901) and the first quarter of the twentieth century, Charles Kingsley’s

The Water-Babies: A Fairy-Tale for a Land-Baby

also captured the adult imagination with its exploration of natural science and Darwin’s recently-published theories on evolution. Yet, the book’s problematic statements on race and class, along with Kingsley’s patronizing and digressive style, diminished its reputation by the turn of the twenty-first century.

Publication History

Charles Kingsley (1819-1875) first serialized The Water-babies for Macmillan's Magazine, August 1862 - March 1863. It was then published as a children’s book by Macmillan in May 1863, “one of the earliest books marketed for children about nine

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2659 words

Citation: Swank, Kris. "The Water Babies". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 01 April 2021 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=8099, accessed 21 November 2024.]

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