Tobias Smollett

Tobias Smollett (1721-1771) was a Scottish-British novelist, poet and surgeon whose picaresque novels are among the most entertaining and influential works of eighteenth-century English literature. His fiction follows colourful, often roguish protagonists through adventures across Britain and Europe, satirising the manners, vices and absurdities of Georgian society with wit and energy. Smollett's novels were hugely popular in their time and influenced generations of writers including Charles Dickens. His books and audiobooks continue to delight readers and listeners with their vigour, comedy and vivid portraits of eighteenth-century life.