Paul's Literary Works and Bibliographic Legacy
Throughout his career, Paul was a prolific contributor to periodicals, pamphlets, and prefaces. However, in his own reflections, he suggested that these shorter pieces could be largely ignored in his bibliography, as he believed the works he collected into books represented everything worth preserving.
Paul identified nine specific works that he considered worthy of preservation, spanning translations, biographies, essays, and poetry. His body of work reflects a deep engagement with philosophy, theology, and the lives of influential intellectuals.
Key Facts
- Paul authored or translated nine primary works he deemed worthy of preservation.
- His bibliography includes translations of Faust and En Route.
- He wrote significant biographical accounts of William Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft.
- His final published work was his autobiography, titled Memories (1899).
- He maintained a professional relationship with the publishing firm Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co. until the end of his career.
Detailed Bibliography of Preserved Works
Translations and Philosophical Texts
Paul's work in translation demonstrated his linguistic skill and intellectual curiosity. In 1873, he published A Translation of Faust. In his autobiography, he credited his pupil, Richard Brandt, for assisting in the revision of the text and helping him avoid the common errors made by other translators.
In 1885, he translated The Thoughts of Blaise Pascal, based on the text provided by M. Auguste Molinier.
Later in his career, Paul translated the French novel En Route (1896) by Joris-Karl Huysmans. This work is the second part of a trilogy detailing Huysmans' conversion to Roman Catholicism. Although Paul found the subject matter compelling, his failing health prevented him from translating the final volume of the trilogy.
Biographies and Memoirs
Paul showed a strong interest in the lives of thinkers and contemporaries. His 1876 work, Life of William Godwin, achieved considerable success. While he considered releasing a condensed version, he eventually decided against it because his own perspectives had evolved so significantly that a revision would have required extensive changes and explanations.
He further explored historical figures with the Letters of Mary Wollstonecraft (1879) and Biographical Sketches (1883). The latter contains profiles of Edward Irving, John Keble, Maria Hare (wife of Augustus William Hare), Rowland Williams, Charles Kingsley, George Eliot, and John Henry Newman.
In 1891, he wrote a short memoir titled Maria Drummond. This was written at the request of Mrs. Drummond's surviving daughters, who granted Paul full creative freedom in documenting the life of their mother and his friend.
Essays, Poetry, and Autobiography
Paul's philosophical and personal reflections are captured in Faith and Unfaith (1891), a collection of seven scattered essays. He viewed this collection as a definitive representation of his thoughts by which he wished to be remembered.
Toward the end of his life, he published By the Way Side: Verses and Translations (1899), a small volume of 103 pages. The publication of this book, alongside his autobiography, by Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co. indicates that he remained on good terms with his former publishers.
His literary journey concluded with the publication of his autobiography, Memories, in 1899.
Summary of Works
| Year | Title | Genre/Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1873 | A Translation of Faust | Translation |
| 1876 | Life of William Godwin | Biography |
| 1879 | Letters of Mary Wollstonecraft | Biography/Letters |
| 1883 | Biographical Sketches | Biography |
| 1885 | The Thoughts of Blaise Pascal | Translation |
| 1891 | Maria Drummond | Memoir |
| 1891 | Faith and Unfaith | Essays |
| 1896 | En Route | Translation |
| 1899 | By the Way Side: Verses and Translations | Poetry/Translation |
| 1899 | Memories | Autobiography |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Paul ignore his periodical writings in his bibliography?
Paul believed that the works he collected into books contained everything of value that was worth preserving, rendering his pamphlets and periodical contributions less significant.
Who helped Paul with the translation of Faust?
Richard Brandt, one of Paul's pupils, assisted in revising the text and helped Paul avoid the mistakes made by other translators.
Why was the translation of the Huysmans trilogy incomplete?
Paul translated the middle novel, En Route, but was unable to translate the final volume due to ill health.
What is the significance of the book Faith and Unfaith?
This collection of seven essays represents the thoughts and views that Paul specifically wished to be remembered for.
Which publishing firm handled his final works?
His final works, including Memories and By the Way Side, were published by Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co.