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At the Circulating Library

A Database of Victorian Fiction, 1837–1901

A Database of Victorian Fiction, 1837–1901

Author: Robert St. John Corbet

Author: Robert St. John Corbet (1839–1907)

Biography: Robert St. John Corbet was born in 1839 in West Felton, Shropshire, the son of Vincent Roger Corbet, the magistrate of Salop. He matriculated at St. John's College, Oxford in 1858 (unknown whether he took a degree). A few years afterwards, he began writing poetry, plays, and novels: of the latter are The Canon's Daughters (1871) which is set in his native Shropshire; Church and Wife (1872) which focuses on clergy celibacy; and The Squire's Grandson (1873). In 1892 he married Alice Mary Galton. Corbet worked as the secretary to the Cambridge Local Examinations in the 1880s. He died in 1907 in Folkestone.

Author Tags:

References: Allibone; British Census (1881); Burke; Times (8 May 1907)

Fiction Titles:

  1. Sir Harry and the Widows: or, Nothing Hazard, Nothing Lose. A Love Story, Humorous and Pathetic.  1 vol.  London: Frederick Warne, 1868.
  2. Who Will be Queen of the Tournament? and Other Stories.  1 vol.  London: Cassell, 1868.
  3. Mince-Pie Island: A Christmas Story for Mince-Pie Eaters. With other Tales in Prose and Verse.  1 vol.  London: Cassell, 1868.
  4. Ralph Luttrel's Fortunes: By Rail, by Road, and by Sea. A Book for Boys.  1 vol.  London: Frederick Warne, 1869.
  5. The Holiday Camp: or, Three Days' Picnic. A Story for Boys and Girls.  1 vol.  London: Routledge, 1870.
  6. The Canon's Daughters: The Story of a Love Chase.  2 vol.  London: Tinsley Brothers, 1871.
  7. Church and Wife: A Question of Celibacy.  3 vol.  London: Tinsley Brothers, 1872.
  8. The Squire's Grandson: A Tale of a Strong Man's Weakness.  3 vol.  London: Tinsley Brothers, 1873.
  9. The Snow-Sweepers' Party, and The Tale of Old Tubbins.  1 vol.  Edinburgh: W. P. Nimmo, 1874.
  10. The Handsome Examiner: His Adventures in Learning and Love. An Incident in the Life of an Original Thinker.  1 vol.  London: Leadenhall Press, 1890.
  11. The Burden of an Honour.  1 vol.  London: Digby, Long, 1901.