William Harrison Ainsworth: Between Gothic and Historical

Early Literary Steps and Connections

As a young man, Ainsworth began publishing works under pseudonyms. His first work was a play called The Rivals in 1821, followed by a collection of poems the next year. In 1823, he released December Tales, a compilation of short stories and articles he had previously published. This early stage of his literary career not only demonstrates his creative capability but also his skill in exploring different genres and forms of writing. His editorial career began in 1824 when he became the editor of the short-lived periodical The Boeotian. This early editorial experience foreshadowed the enduring role Ainsworth would play in the periodical press throughout his life, contributing significantly to publications like Bentley’s Miscellany, Ainsworth’s Magazine, and The New Monthly Magazine.

Ainsworth’s move to London in 1824 was a pivotal point in his career. The city not only expanded his opportunities but also put him in contact with some of the most influential literary figures of the time. He quickly befriended Charles Lamb, Mary Shelley, and Sir Walter Scott, all renowned writers who, directly or indirectly, influenced his style and themes. His relationship with Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein, may have sparked a deeper interest in the supernatural and gothic, elements that would later significantly mark his work. His closeness with Sir Walter Scott, a master of the historical novel, also left an indelible mark on Ainsworth’s narrative style, which would come to excel in this genre.

The Rise with Rookwood and Consolidation as a Historical Novelist

Ainsworth’s career took a major leap in 1834 with the publication of Rookwood, a novel that achieved enormous popularity. Rookwood not only solidified Ainsworth’s reputation as a novelist but also showcased his ability to blend the gothic with the historical in a way that captivated readers. The success of Rookwood catapulted him to literary stardom and marked the beginning of a series of historical novels that would establish him as one of the main voices of Victorian fiction.

Following the success of Rookwood, Ainsworth established himself as a prolific author of historical novels, many of which contained gothic elements that added a dark and intriguing atmosphere to his narratives. His best-known works include Jack Sheppard (1839), Guy Fawkes (1840), The Tower of London (1840), Old St. Paul’s (1841), and Windsor Castle (1842). Each of these works combined detailed historical research with an engaging narrative, often interspersed with supernatural or sensationalist elements that captivated the audience.

Like his contemporary Charles Dickens, Ainsworth often published his novels in serialized format. This practice was common at the time and helped maintain public interest over time. Serialization not only allowed readers to consume stories in more manageable installments but also created ongoing anticipation about the development of the plots. Ainsworth, like Dickens, was a master at using this form of publication to build suspense and keep his readers engaged.

The Newgate Controversy and the Challenges of Popularity

However, not everything was rosy in Ainsworth’s career. His novel Jack Sheppard sparked a major controversy due to its portrayal of the criminal underworld. Jack Sheppard was seen by many as a glorification of crime, a view that was at odds with Victorian moral norms. Critics like William Makepeace Thackeray and John Forster attacked the work, initiating what became known as the “Newgate Controversy”. This controversy not only affected Ainsworth’s reputation but also caused collateral damage to other authors of the time, such as Dickens and Bulwer Lytton, who also explored similar themes in their works.

The Newgate Controversy cast Ainsworth in an unfavorable light, with many critics arguing that his novels encouraged criminality by romanticizing the lives of underworld figures. Although Ainsworth’s intention was likely more to entertain and perhaps subtly criticize society, the Victorian public was divided over the merits of such narratives. The controversy reflected a broader tension in Victorian society between the desire for morality and the attraction to sensationalist stories that explored the boundaries of decency.

The Shift to the Provincial: The Lancashire Witches and Beyond

In 1848, Ainsworth published The Lancashire Witches, considered by many to be his last great novel. This work marked a significant shift in his writing, focusing more on historical provincial life than on the urban settings of London that characterized his earlier works. The Lancashire Witches was the first in a series of works set in Lancashire rather than the capital, and this change of setting earned him the nickname “The Lancashire Novelist”. However, this title is somewhat misleading as it does not encompass the diversity of themes and locations that Ainsworth explored throughout his career.

The shift to more provincial themes can be seen as a response to the criticism he faced during the Newgate Controversy, as well as an attempt to explore new directions in his writing. In The Lancashire Witches, although the title suggests a strongly gothic narrative, Ainsworth focused more on local traditions and histories, offering a detailed portrait of rural English life. Despite this, gothic elements still permeated his narratives, although less prominently than in his earlier works.

Ainsworth in the Victorian Literary Context

Despite his immense popularity during the Victorian period, Ainsworth has been relatively overlooked in the 21st-century gothic canon. This is unfortunate, as his writing style is vibrant and detailed, offering engaging portraits of both provincial life and historical London. Ainsworth’s ability to blend the gothic with the historical, creating a rich and often unsettling atmosphere, is something that distinguishes him from many of his contemporaries.

Throughout his career, Ainsworth produced about 39 novels and a considerable amount of short fiction, much of which was published anonymously. His work spans various genres, mixing elements of the gothic, historical, and sensationalist. However, Ainsworth’s reputation as a historical fiction writer may have contributed to his being overshadowed by authors more focused on contemporary themes, such as Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins. Moreover, the stylistic and thematic influence of Ann Radcliffe in his early works may have marked him as somewhat anachronistic for his time.

Ainsworth, however, should not be seen only through the lens of his more famous contemporaries. He brought something unique to Victorian literature, particularly in his ability to capture the public’s imagination with stories that combined entertainment and reflection. Although he may not be as well-remembered as some of his contemporaries, Ainsworth played a significant role in the evolution of the Victorian novel and in popularizing historical and gothic themes in 19th-century literature.

Rediscovering Ainsworth’s Legacy

William Harrison Ainsworth’s legacy deserves to be reassessed. His skill in combining gothic elements with historical narratives created a unique and influential body of work. Although he may not be as well-remembered as some of his contemporaries, Ainsworth played a significant role in the evolution of the Victorian novel and in popularizing historical and gothic themes in 19th-century literature.

References:

Hughes, William. Historical Dictionary of Gothic Literature. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press, 2013.