Thomas Bowdler (Noun)
Meaning
English editor who in 1818 published an expurgated edition of the works of Shakespeare (1754-1825).
Classification
Nouns denoting people.
Examples
- Thomas Bowdler was a prominent English editor who sought to make the works of Shakespeare more family-friendly by removing objectionable content.
- The term "bowdlerize" originated from Thomas Bowdler's efforts to expurgate the works of Shakespeare, and has since been used to describe the act of censoring or sanitizing literature.
- Thomas Bowdler's edition of Shakespeare's works was widely popular in its time, despite being heavily criticized by scholars for its numerous omissions and alterations.
- Thomas Bowdler's editing style was characterized by his tendency to remove any language or content that he deemed indecent or objectionable, often resulting in significant changes to the original text.
- The legacy of Thomas Bowdler is complex, with some viewing him as a pioneering editor who made great literature more accessible, while others see him as a censor who compromised the artistic integrity of the works he edited.