Samuel Richardson and the rise of the epistolary novel (1740–1761)

1. Richardson publishes *Pamela* and popularizes letter fiction

   Nov 1, 1740Labels: Samuel Richardson, Pamela

   • Britannica
   • U Michigan

2. Pamphlet attack *Pamela Censured* intensifies the debate

   Jan 1, 1741Labels: Pamela Censured, Pamela

   • UWM Libraries
   • U Michigan

3. Haywood’s *Anti-Pamela* adds another critical counter-narrative

   Jan 1, 1741Labels: Eliza Haywood, The Anti-Pamela

   • Anti Pamela WP
   • Britannica

4. Spurious continuation *Pamela’s Conduct in High Life* circulates

   Jan 1, 1741Labels: Pamela s, John Kelly

   • Huntington
   • Folger

5. Rapid reprint cycle confirms *Pamela* as a bestseller

   Feb 14, 1741Labels: Pamela, Reprints

   • U Kiel
   • U Michigan

6. Fielding publishes *Shamela*, a pointed epistolary parody

   Apr 4, 1741Labels: Henry Fielding, Shamela

   • Shamela WP
   • UWM Libraries

7. Richardson publishes the sequel *Pamela in her Exalted Condition*

   Dec 1, 1741Labels: Samuel Richardson, Pamela sequel

   • U Michigan
   • Britannica

8. A deluxe illustrated *Pamela* edition signals prestige publishing

   Jan 1, 1742Labels: Deluxe Pamela, Illustrated edition

   • U Michigan
   • Britannica

9. Richardson begins serial publication of *Clarissa*

   Dec 1, 1747Labels: Clarissa, Serial publication

   • Britannica
   • LRB

10. *Clarissa* completes its 1747–1748 installment run

    Dec 1, 1748Labels: Clarissa, Installments

    • Britannica
    • LRB

11. Richardson continues revising *Clarissa* in new editions

    Jun 1, 1749Labels: Clarissa, Revisions

    • Routledge
    • Britannica

12. Richardson publishes *Sir Charles Grandison* as a final epistolary experiment

    Feb 1, 1753Labels: Sir Charles, Samuel Richardson

    • Grandison WP
    • Britannica

13. Richardson dies, closing the main phase of his epistolary career

    Jul 4, 1761Labels: Samuel Richardson, Death 1761

    • Britannica
    • Richardson WP