# Charles Lamb

> British essayist, poet, antiquarian (1775–1834)

**Wikidata**: [Q372984](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q372984)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Lamb)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/charles-lamb

## Summary
Charles Lamb was a British essayist, poet, and antiquarian who lived from 1775 to 1834. He is best known for his literary works, including the collection "Tales from Shakespeare" co-authored with his sister Mary Lamb, and for writing under the pseudonym "Elia."

## Biography
- Born: February 10, 1775
- Nationality: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
- Education: Christ's Hospital
- Known for: Literary works including "Tales from Shakespeare" and writing under the pseudonym "Elia"
- Employer(s): Not explicitly listed in source material
- Field(s): Literature, writing, literary criticism

## Contributions
Charles Lamb made significant contributions to English literature through his writing. He co-authored "Tales from Shakspeare" with his sister Mary Lamb, which was published in 1807. This work was a retelling of Shakespeare's plays in simplified language for children. He also wrote extensively under the pseudonym "Elia," publishing essays and literary criticism that appeared in periodicals. His works were widely distributed and are still studied today as examples of early 19th-century literary style.

## FAQs
**What was Charles Lamb's most famous work?**
Charles Lamb is best known for co-authoring "Tales from Shakespeare" with his sister Mary Lamb, published in 1807. This collection retold Shakespeare's plays in simplified language for a younger audience.

**What pseudonym did Charles Lamb use?**
Charles Lamb frequently wrote under the pseudonym "Elia," which appeared in essays and literary criticism published in various periodicals during the early 19th century.

**Where did Charles Lamb receive his education?**
Charles Lamb was educated at Christ's Hospital, a school in West Sussex, UK.

**What was Charles Lamb's profession?**
Charles Lamb was a British essayist, poet, and antiquarian who worked primarily as a writer and literary critic.

**How long did Charles Lamb live?**
Charles Lamb lived from 1775 to 1834, a period of approximately 59 years.

## Why They Matter
Charles Lamb's work had a lasting impact on English literature, particularly through his accessible retellings of Shakespeare's plays. His "Tales from Shakespeare" helped introduce Shakespeare's works to a broader audience, including children, and established a new approach to literary adaptation. The pseudonym "Elia" became a significant part of literary history, representing a distinctive voice in early 19th-century essay writing. His contributions helped shape the development of English prose and influenced subsequent generations of writers.

## Notable For
- Co-authored "Tales from Shakespeare" with his sister Mary Lamb (1807)
- Wrote extensively under the pseudonym "Elia"
- Made significant contributions to early 19th-century literary criticism
- His works are preserved in numerous bibliographic and archival systems
- Authored essays and literary pieces that appeared in periodicals

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Charles Lamb was born on February 10, 1775, in London, England. He received his education at Christ's Hospital, a prestigious school in West Sussex, UK. The school had a long history dating back to 1552 and was known for its rigorous academic standards.

### Career and Literary Work
Lamb's literary career began in the early 19th century. He is perhaps most famous for his collaboration with his sister Mary Lamb on "Tales from Shakespeare," published in 1807. This work represented a significant literary achievement, as it simplified Shakespeare's complex plays into accessible narratives suitable for children. The book was widely popular and helped introduce Shakespeare's works to a younger generation.

Lamb also wrote extensively under the pseudonym "Elia," which became his literary signature. These essays appeared in various periodicals and established him as a prominent voice in literary criticism and essay writing. His works under this pseudonym covered a range of topics, from personal reflections to social commentary.

### Literary Style and Influence
Charles Lamb's writing style was characterized by its accessibility, wit, and emotional depth. His essays often blended personal narrative with philosophical reflection, creating a distinctive voice that resonated with readers of his time. The pseudonym "Elia" allowed him to explore themes of memory, nostalgia, and social observation with a degree of detachment that enhanced the impact of his observations.

### Collaborations and Publications
Lamb's most notable collaboration was with his sister Mary Lamb on "Tales from Shakespeare." The book was published in two volumes and included retellings of 20 of Shakespeare's plays. The collaboration required careful adaptation to make the complex language and themes of Shakespeare accessible to a younger audience while preserving the essence of the original works.

### Legacy and Archival Presence
Charles Lamb's works have been preserved in numerous bibliographic and archival systems. His writings are cataloged under various identifiers including Q589197, Q55860182, and others. The source material indicates that his works have been extensively documented in international library systems, reflecting their lasting significance in literary history.

### Technical Identifiers and Standards
Lamb's identity and works are recorded through various technical identifiers:
- Authority control: gnd_118726064
- VIAF: 41846937
- Library of Congress: n79067888
- International catalogs: BNF, SUDOC, BNE, NLA
- Digital identifiers: IMDb ID (nm0842671), Open Library ID (OL116544A)

These identifiers demonstrate the comprehensive documentation of his literary contributions across multiple international systems.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
3. BnF authorities
4. Library of the World's Best Literature
5. International Standard Name Identifier
6. Virtual International Authority File
7. MusicBrainz
8. [Source](http://hdl.handle.net/10079/fa/beinecke.lamb)
9. [Source](https://norman.hrc.utexas.edu/fasearch/findingAid.cfm?eadid=00526)
10. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
11. SNAC
12. Find a Grave
13. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
14. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
15. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
16. [Source](https://www.bartleby.com/library/bios/index10.html)
17. CONOR.SI
18. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
19. Quora
20. Enciclopedia Treccani
21. LIBRIS. 2012
22. [New year's eve by Charles Lamb](https://www.stedelijk.nl/nl/collectie/87829-onbekend-new-year%27s-eve-by-charles-lamb)
23. Golden
24. CC 6
25. Catalogo of the National Library of India