The Rambler

The Rambler
Title	The Rambler
Editor	Samuel Johnson, Thomas Warton
Firstdate	1750
Finaldate	1752
Country	England
Language	English

The Rambler. The Rambler was a periodical published in London from 1750 to 1752, founded by Samuel Johnson and edited by him, with contributions from Thomas Warton and other notable writers of the time, including David Garrick and Alexander Pope. The publication was known for its essays on various subjects, such as literature, philosophy, and society, often referencing the works of Aristotle, Plato, and John Locke. During its run, The Rambler featured articles on theatre, with discussions of plays by William Shakespeare and Molière, as well as commentary on the Royal Academy of Arts and the British Museum.

Introduction

The Rambler was a significant publication in the history of English literature, with its contributors including some of the most prominent writers of the 18th century, such as Oliver Goldsmith and Edmund Burke. The magazine's focus on essays and articles made it a platform for discussing various topics, from politics and religion to art and culture, often referencing the ideas of René Descartes, Immanuel Kant, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. The Rambler's style, which blended humor and satire with serious commentary, was influenced by the works of Jonathan Swift and Henry Fielding. The publication's impact was felt beyond England, with its ideas and writings influencing thinkers such as Voltaire and Denis Diderot in France, and Immanuel Kant in Prussia.

History

The Rambler was first published in 1750, with Samuel Johnson as its primary editor and contributor, and was released twice a week, featuring articles on a wide range of subjects, including science, history, and philosophy, with references to the works of Isaac Newton, Galileo Galilei, and Blaise Pascal. The magazine's early issues included contributions from other notable writers, such as Thomas Gray and William Collins, and discussed topics like the War of the Austrian Succession and the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle. The Rambler's history is closely tied to the literary and intellectual circles of London during the 18th century, with its contributors often gathering at coffeehouses like Lloyd's Coffee House and Button's Coffee House to discuss their ideas and writings, alongside other notable figures like Benjamin Franklin and Giovanni Battista Piranesi.

Publication

The Rambler was published by John Payne and Robert Dodsley, with its issues often featuring engravings and other illustrations, including works by William Hogarth and Thomas Rowlandson. The magazine's publication schedule was irregular, with some issues appearing late or being skipped altogether, but it maintained a loyal readership, including notable figures like King George II and Frederick the Great. The Rambler's publication was also influenced by the Literary Club, a group of writers and intellectuals that included Samuel Johnson, Joshua Reynolds, and Edmund Burke, and met regularly at Turk's Head Tavern to discuss literature and politics, alongside other prominent thinkers like Adam Smith and Edward Gibbon.

Content_and_Style

The Rambler's content was diverse, with articles on literature, philosophy, and society, often featuring discussions of the works of William Shakespeare, John Milton, and Alexander Pope. The magazine's style was characterized by its use of satire and humor, as well as its serious commentary on various subjects, including politics and religion, with references to the ideas of John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, and Baruch Spinoza. The Rambler's contributors, including Samuel Johnson and Thomas Warton, were known for their wit and erudition, and their writings often reflected their interests in classical literature and history, with discussions of the works of Cicero, Tacitus, and Thucydides. The magazine's content also included articles on science and technology, with references to the works of Isaac Newton, Robert Hooke, and Antoine Lavoisier.

Reception_and_Influence

The Rambler was well-received by its contemporaries, with many praising its wit and erudition, including notable figures like David Hume and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. The magazine's influence can be seen in the works of later writers, such as Jane Austen and Charles Dickens, who often referenced The Rambler's articles and ideas in their own writings, alongside other prominent authors like Mary Shelley and Percy Bysshe Shelley. The Rambler's impact was also felt beyond literature, with its ideas and writings influencing thinkers such as Immanuel Kant and Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel in philosophy, and Adam Smith and Karl Marx in economics. The magazine's reception and influence can be seen in the many reviews and commentaries written about it, including those by Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Hazlitt.

Legacy

The Rambler's legacy is significant, with its influence extending to many areas of literature and culture, including the works of William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, who often referenced The Rambler's ideas and writings in their own poetry and criticism, alongside other notable authors like Lord Byron and Percy Bysshe Shelley. The magazine's style and content have also been studied by scholars, including literary critics like T.S. Eliot and F.R. Leavis, who have analyzed its use of satire and humor, as well as its serious commentary on various subjects, including politics and religion. The Rambler's legacy can be seen in the many literary magazines and journals that have followed in its footsteps, including The Spectator and The Tatler, which have continued its tradition of essays and commentary on various subjects, including literature, philosophy, and society.

Category:18th-century magazines