Biography and the Trade-Gothic Author: The Case of Isabella Kelly (Elements in the Gothic)

By: Yael Shapira

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Synopsis: This Element argues for the value of biography in studying trade Gothic – that is, Gothic novels published by unprestigious trade publishers during the Romantic period. As Section 1 argues, biography has been central to the study of canonical Gothic and, indeed, to the very formation of the Gothic canon, whereas the biographical obscurity of trade novelists has reinforced the marginalization of their works. The following sections draw on the case of Isabella Kelly (c. 1759–1857) to show how biographical knowledge can provide insight into seemingly formulaic Gothic novels. Section 2 uses new archival findings to offer an updated biography of Kelly, while Section 3 traces covert pieces of life writing embedded in her fiction. Section 4 focuses on Kelly's acquaintance with Matthew Lewis, drawing on her fiction to offer a speculative reassessment of their relationship and to question assumptions about the flow of influence in the Gothic literary marketplace.