Biography and the Trade-Gothic Author

The Case of Isabella Kelly

Yael Shapira (Bar-Ilan University)

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English

Cambridge University Press
13 November 2025

Theatre Studies; Autobiography: business & industry; Literary studies: fiction, novelists & prose writers

Series: Elements in the Gothic

Summary
Details

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.

By: Yael Shapira (Bar-Ilan University)
Imprint: Cambridge University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Weight: 252g
ISBN: 9781009548236
ISBN 10: 1009548239
Series: Elements in the Gothic
Pages: 80
Publication Date: 13 November 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active