George W. M. Reynolds


Forget Dickens or even Lord Lytton: George W. M. Reynolds was almost certainly the most-read English novelist of his time. His winning formula consisted of two main elements, sex and violence, stretched out over hundreds of thousands of words, usually released in installments. He was also willing to turn his hand to practically any kind of writing that would pay: he produced an unauthorized sequel to Dickens' Pickwick Papers and an unauthorized sequel to Byron's Don Juan (written in the same meter, but perhaps not with quite the same verve). Many of his books include numerous illustrations, usually second-rate but often quite lively.

Ellen Percy: Or, the Memoirs of an Actress. By George W. M. Reynolds. Beautifully illustrated by F. Gilbert. London: John Dicks, 1867. —Both volumes are included in this scan.

Grace Darling; or, the Heroine of the Fern Islands. A Tale. By G. W. M. Reynolds. London: G. Henderson, 1839.

The Mysteries of London. By George W. M. Reynolds. With numerous illustrations by G. Stiff. London: Geo. Vickers. —One of the most famous penny-dreadful series, bound into volumes. Filled with shocks and adorned with lively illustrations. This is actually two complete (enormous) novels: Volume III begins a new story. Another "Mysteries of London" series followed, but by a different hired hack, Thomas Miller.
Volume I (1845).
Another copy (1846).

Volume II (1846).

Volume III (Volume I Second Series, 1847).
Another copy.
Another copy.

Volume IV (Volume II Second Series, 1848).

The Parricide; or, the Youth's Career of Crime. By George W. M. Reynolds. Illustrated with twenty-two wood engravings designed by George Standfast. London: John Dicks, 1847. (Misread by the librarian as 1817, because of a poorly printed 4.) —"The Author, when only eighteen years of age, wrote a novel entitled 'The Youthful Impostor,' which was published in three volumes, in 1835, the author then being twenty-one. This work he has since completely remodelled, incorporating with it almost the whole of the episode involving the adventures of Sophia Maxwell; and the Tale, in its new and—it is hoped—improved form, is now issued to the public under the more appropriate title of 'The Parricide.'"

Pickwick Abroad; or, the Tour in France. By George W. M. Reynolds. Illustrated with forty-one steel engravings by Alfred Crowquill and John Phillips; and with thirty-three woodcuts by Bonner. London: Sherwood, Gilbert, and Piper, 1839. —The market demanded more of Pickwick, and what Dickens would not provide Reynolds gladly supplied.

The Seamstress; or, the White Slave of London. By G. W. M. Reynolds. With fifteen illustrations drawn by Henry Anelay. London: John Dicks, 1853.

A Sequel to Don Juan. London: Paget & Co. [1843, according to the librarian.] Anonymous, but attributed by the librarian to Reynolds, and therefore listed here, though it properly belongs with the poetry.


Samuel Richardson
Clarissa; or, the History of a Young Lady. Compre­hending the most important concerns of private life. And particularly shewing the distresses that may attend the misconduct both of parents and children, in relation to marriage. By Mr. Samuel Richardson.
Two-volume edition in the Novelist's Magazine. London, 1784.
Volume I.

Volume II.