Oroonoko

Oroonoko By Francis Gentleman GENTLEMAN, FRANCIS (1728-1784), actor and dramatist, born in York Street, Dublin, 13 Oct. 1728, was son of a captain in the army. With Mossop and Dexter, both subsequently actors, he was educated at a grammar school in Digges Street under a clergyman named Butler. He obtained at the age of fifteen a commission in the regiment of his father, who died two years later. He exchanged into a newly raised company intended for active service, and had to leave the army on the peace of 1748. He then engaged with Sheridan at Smock Alley Theatre, where he appeared as Aboan in 'Oroonoko, ' and remained for a season and a half. Notwithstanding what he calls 'an unconsequential figure and uncommon timidity, ' he succeeded 'beyond his expectations.' Having inherited from an uncle in India a sum of 800l., he came to London, and states that he saved only 200l. from the lawyers We are delighted to publish this classic book as part of our extensive Classic Library collection. Many of the books in our collection have been out of print for decades, and therefore have not been accessible to the general public. The aim of our publishing program is to facilitate rapid access to this vast reservoir of literature, and our view is that this is a significant literary work, which deserves to be brought back into print after many decades. The contents of the vast majority of titles in the Classic Library have been scanned from the original works. To ensure a high quality product, each title has been meticulously hand curated by our staff. Our philosophy has been guided by a desire to provide the reader with a book that is as close as possible to ownership of the original work. We hope that you will enjoy this wonderful classic work, and that for you it becomes an enriching experience.