The life and works of Samuel Richardson (1689-1761) are explored through essays on their historical, literary, intellectual and cultural contexts.

Part I. Life and Works: 1. Portraying the life Thomas Keymer; 2. Publication history Peter Sabor; 3. Correspondence Louise Curran; Part II. Critical Fortunes: 4. Editions Hilary Havens; 5. Contemporary transnational reception Mary Helen McMurran; 6. Reputation Sören Hammerschmidt; 7. Critical reception to 1900 Brian Corman; 8. Critical reception since 1900 Albert J. Rivero; Part III. The Print Trade: 9. The Stationers' Company Ian Gadd; 10. Transnational print trade relations Norbert Schürer; 11. Authorship Betty A. Schellenberg; 12. The literary marketplace Catherine Ingrassia; Part IV. The Book and its Readers: 13. The material book Christopher Flint; 14. Editing Pat Rogers; 15. Reading and readers Eve Tavor Bannet; Part V. Literary Genres and the Arts: 16. The novel April London; 17. Fables and fairy-tales Margaret Anne Doody; 18. Letters Joe Bray; 19. Educational writing Bonnie Latimer; 20. The English language Carol Percy; 21. Salon culture and conversation Markman Ellis; 22. Visual arts Lynn Shepherd; 23. Theatre and drama Darryl P. Domingo; 24. Humour Simon Dickie; Part VI. Social Structures and Social Life: 25. Money and economics Edward Copeland; 26. The law Simon Stern; 27. Family Toni Bowers; 28. Gender Kathleen M. Oliver; 29. Sexuality James Grantham Turner; 30. Medicine and health Heather Meek; 31. Death and mourning culture Peter Walmsley; 32. London Linda Bree; 33. Sentiment and sensibility Katherine Binhammer; 34. Religion E. Derek Taylor; 35. Social hierarchy and social mobility Karen Lipsedge; 36. Politics Howard D. Weinbrot; 37. Nationalism Lisa O'Connell.