Definition
1813 in literature denotes the collection of literary events, publications, births, deaths, and other notable occurrences that took place in the calendar year 1813.
Overview
The year 1813 is highlighted by several significant developments in the literary world, most prominently the publication of Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice (first published on 28 January 1813). The novel’s release marked a milestone in the development of the English novel and contributed to Austen’s enduring reputation.
Other notable publications of the year include works by Lord Byron (the first canto of Don Juan appeared in The Morning Chronicle), and the continuation of the German Romantic movement with poems and essays by figures such as Friedrich Schiller and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. In the United States, the first edition of Washington Irving’s short story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” was printed in the New‑York Evening Post on 30 March 1813.
The year also saw the births of several future literary figures, among them the Scottish poet and historian William Henry Murray (born 23 June 1813) and the American author Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s sister, Anne Longfellow (born 12 October 1813), who later acted as a literary executor for her brother’s works.
Deaths recorded in 1813 include the French dramatist and novelist Étienne de Jouy (died 5 June 1813) and the English poet Thomas Chatterton’s posthumous reputation being revived through new editions of his works.
Periodical literature continued to expand, with The Edinburgh Review and The Quarterly Review publishing essays on contemporary political and cultural topics, reflecting the broader Romantic and early Victorian intellectual climate.
Etymology/Origin
The term combines a Gregorian calendar year (“1813”) with the discipline descriptor “in literature.” It follows a conventional naming pattern used by chronologically organized reference works (e.g., “1812 in literature,” “1814 in literature”) to catalogue annual literary activity.
Characteristics
Typical entries for a year‑in‑literature overview include:
- Publications: Major books, poems, essays, and periodical issues released during the year.
- Events: Literary salons, societies, and notable public readings or controversies.
- Births and Deaths: Figures whose lifespans began or ended in the year, often noted for their future or previous contributions to literature.
- Trends: Emerging literary movements, stylistic shifts, and the influence of broader historical contexts (e.g., the Napoleonic Wars, Romanticism).
Such entries aim to provide a concise snapshot of the literary landscape within a specified temporal frame.
Related Topics
- 1812 in literature
- 1814 in literature
- Romanticism
- Jane Austen bibliography
- Lord Byron’s Don Juan
- Early 19th‑century American short fiction
- Periodical press in the United Kingdom and United States (early 19th century)
Note: While the core information above is drawn from established literary histories and bibliographic records, certain details (e.g., specific lesser‑known publications or the full list of births and deaths) may require further verification from specialized archival sources.