With an Introduction and Notes by Michael Irwin, Professor of English Literature, University of Kent at Canterbury.
The Diary of a Nobody is so unassuming a work that even its author, George Grossmith, seemed unaware that he had produced a masterpiece.
The Diary of a Nobody is so unassuming a work that even its author, George Grossmith, seemed unaware that he had produced a masterpiece. For more than a century this wonderfully comic portrayal of suburban life and values has remained in print, a source of delight to generations of readers, and a major literary influence, much imitated but never equalled.
If you don’t recognise yourself at some point in The Diary you are probably less than human. If you can read it without laughing aloud you have no sense of humour.
George and Weedon Grossmith
George Grossmith (1847 – 1912) and Weedon Grossmith (1854 – 1919) were brothers, both of whom were known for their careers on the stage. They collaborated in writing a column for 'Punch' between 1888-9, which was published as 'The Diary of a Nobody' in 1892. Never out of print, it is one of the classic works of English comedy.
George Grossmith (1847 – 1912) and Weedon Grossmith (1854 – 1919) were joint authors of The Diary of a Nobody, based on a series of amusing columns written between 1888-9 for Punch, and published as a novel in 1892 with illustrations by Weedon. The book has remained in print ever since that first publication.
George started his career as a court reporter for The Times, and Weedon as an artist. They both later became actors, and George created many famous baritone roles in the operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan at the Savoy theatre. George retired in 1900 and died in Folkestone in 1912. Weedon retired in 1917 and died in London in 1919.
Pictured; George Grossmith in one of his many Gilbert and Sullivan roles.
