# Edward Bulwer-Lytton

> British statesman and author (1803–1873)

**Wikidata**: [Q318462](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q318462)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Bulwer-Lytton)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/edward-bulwer-lytton

## Summary
Edward Bulwer-Lytton was a British statesman and author who lived from 1803 to 1873. He was a multifaceted figure known for his political career and prolific literary output, including novels, poetry, and plays. His works spanned genres such as historical prose literature and horror literature, and he was also recognized as a science fiction writer.

## Biography
- Born: May 25, 1803 (also recorded as January 1, 1803, and May 23, 1803)
- Nationality: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
- Education: Trinity College, Cambridge; Trinity Hall, Cambridge
- Known for: Literary works and political activity
- Employer(s): Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
- Field(s): Literature, Politics

## Contributions
Edward Bulwer-Lytton authored numerous literary works, including the novel "The Last Days of Pompeii" (1834), which is set in the past and falls under the category of historical prose literature. Another significant work is "The Coming Race" (1871), a novel that places him in the category of science fiction writers. He also wrote "Pelham," "Rienzi," "Paul Clifford," and "Leila: or The Siege of Granada." His literary contributions extend to poetry and plays. In the realm of politics, he was active as a statesman and politician within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. His influence extended to esoteric areas such as freemasonry and Rosicrucianism. The Bulwer–Lytton Fiction Contest, established in 1982, is named after him, highlighting the enduring impact of his writing style, albeit sometimes mockingly for its perceived verbosity.

## FAQs
**What is Edward Bulwer-Lytton most famous for?**
Edward Bulwer-Lytton is most famous for his literary works, including "The Last Days of Pompeii" and "The Coming Race," as well as his political career as a British statesman. His name is also associated with the Bulwer–Lytton Fiction Contest, which celebrates or parodies bad writing.

**What genres did Edward Bulwer-Lytton write in?**
He wrote in several genres, including historical prose literature, horror literature, and science fiction. His works also encompassed poetry and plays.

**Where did Edward Bulwer-Lytton receive his education?**
Edward Bulwer-Lytton was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, and Trinity Hall, Cambridge.

**What was Edward Bulwer-Lytton's role in politics?**
He was a British statesman and politician, active within the government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

## Why They Matter
Edward Bulwer-Lytton's significance lies in his dual impact on literature and politics during the 19th century. His novels, particularly "The Last Days of Pompeii" and "The Coming Race," contributed to the development of historical fiction and early science fiction, influencing later writers in these genres. His political career reflects the interconnectedness of literary and political spheres in Victorian Britain. The enduring reference to his name in the Bulwer–Lytton Fiction Contest demonstrates the cultural penetration of his writing style, even if it is sometimes held up as an example of overly ornate prose. His exploration of themes like the occult and secret societies also reflects the intellectual currents of his time.

## Notable For
- Being a British statesman and author (1803–1873)
- Writing the novel "The Last Days of Pompeii" (1834)
- Writing the novel "The Coming Race" (1871), a work of science fiction
- Being a playwright, poet, and prose writer
- His involvement in freemasonry and Rosicrucianism
- The Bulwer–Lytton Fiction Contest, named in his honor
- His education at Trinity College and Trinity Hall, Cambridge
- His political activity within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

## Body
### Identity and Life Dates
Edward Bulwer-Lytton, whose full name includes Edward George Earle Lytton Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton, was a human and a citizen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. He was born on May 25, 1803 (with alternative dates listed as January 1, 1803, and May 23, 1803) and died on January 18, 1873 (with an alternative date of January 1, 1873). He was also known by the aliases Owen Meredith and Pisistratus Caxton.

### Education
He was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, and Trinity Hall, Cambridge. These affiliations provided the academic foundation for his later pursuits in literature and politics.

### Professional Roles
Bulwer-Lytton held multiple occupations throughout his life. He was a writer, politician, novelist, poet, playwright, and prose writer. He was also considered a literary critic. His employer was associated with the government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, reflecting his role as a statesman and politician.

### Literary Works
His notable works include "Pelham," "The Last Days of Pompeii" (published in 1834), "Rienzi," "The Coming Race" (published in 1871), "Paul Clifford," and "Leila: or The Siege of Granada." These works span genres such as historical prose literature, horror literature, and science fiction. His field of work included literature and politics.

### Memberships and Affiliations
He was a member of various organizations, including those related to freemasonry and Rosicrucianism. He was also associated with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in a political capacity.

### Influence and Recognition
He was influenced by figures such as Edmund Burke and Francis Bacon. The Bulwer–Lytton Fiction Contest, established in 1982, is named after him, indicating a cultural legacy, albeit sometimes focused on a particular style of writing. He is identified by numerous bibliographic and technical identifiers, such as ISNI, VIAF, GND, and LCCN, among others, reflecting his presence in international library and academic databases.

## References

1. 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Lytton, Edward George Earle Lytton, Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron
2. Integrated Authority File
3. Archivio Storico Ricordi
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5. Source
6. The London Gazette 23137
7. The History of Parliament
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11. The Fine Art Archive
12. Library of the World's Best Literature
13. International Standard Name Identifier
14. CiNii Research
15. MusicBrainz
16. [Source](http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/a/A13530954)
17. SNAC
18. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
19. International Music Score Library Project
20. Find a Grave
21. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
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23. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
24. Vegetti Catalog of Fantastic Literature
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26. filmportal.de
27. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
28. Virtual International Authority File
29. [Source](https://www.bartleby.com/library/bios/index3.html)
30. CONOR.SI
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32. Enciclopedia Treccani
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34. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands
35. CollectieGelderland
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37. Catalogo of the National Library of India