Charles Robert Maturin
Biography
Charles Robert Maturin (1780–1824) was an Irish clergyman and novelist who wrote one of the greatest Gothic novels in English. Born in Dublin to a Huguenot family, Maturin was a Church of Ireland curate who supplemented his income with sensational fiction. His masterpiece, Melmoth the Wanderer (1820), is the last and arguably the greatest of the classic Gothic novels, a sprawling, nightmarish work of nested narratives about a man who sold his soul for 150 extra years of life. Maturin influenced Balzac (who wrote a sequel), Baudelaire, Poe, Lovecraft, and Oscar Wilde, who adopted the name "Sebastian Melmoth" after his imprisonment.
Common themes in Charles Robert Maturin's work
Gothic Novel
A recurring theme throughout Charles Robert Maturin's writing.
Irish Literature
A recurring theme throughout Charles Robert Maturin's writing.
Horror Fiction
A recurring theme throughout Charles Robert Maturin's writing.
Faustian Bargain
A recurring theme throughout Charles Robert Maturin's writing.
Books
Explore by genre
Other authors you may enjoy
Why Charles Robert Maturin is still read today
Maturin is the culminating figure of the Gothic novel tradition. Melmoth the Wanderer influenced virtually every subsequent writer of horror and dark fantasy, from Poe and Baudelaire to Lovecraft and modern Gothic fiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Charles Robert Maturin?
Maturin was an Irish clergyman who wrote Melmoth the Wanderer, one of the greatest Gothic novels in English.
What is Melmoth the Wanderer about?
A man who sold his soul for 150 extra years of life wanders the earth seeking someone to take his bargain. Read it free on TextStack.
Who did Maturin influence?
Balzac, Baudelaire, Poe, Lovecraft, and Oscar Wilde, who adopted the name Sebastian Melmoth after prison.
Essential cookies keep you signed in and save your reading progress. Analytics cookies help us understand how the site is used. You can reject analytics — we still work without them. Learn more in our Privacy Policy.