Piccadilly: A Fragment of Contemporary Biography

Description

Laurence Oliphant’s tumultuous life and dynamic career made him somewhat of an eccentric in the eyes of many public figures. After starting out as the son of Sir Anthony Oliphant, a member of the Scottish gentry, he had already traveled a great deal, touring Europe with his family and later accompanying Jung Bahadur on a long journey from Colombo to Nepal, which spelled the start of his literary career with the book A Journey to Katmandu.

His travels inspired Oliphant to write several other books, including his successful The Russian Shores of the Black Sea. Perhaps the work that brought him the most recognition, however, was the book set before you right now – Piccadilly: A Fragment of Contemporary Biography.

The background of this fine work is just as significant as its contents, as it provides key insight on Laurence Oliphant’s controversial personality. Written prior to Oliphant falling under the influence of spiritualist prophet, Thomas Lake Harris, Piccadilly came after the author had already resigned from his diplomatic career and been elected to parliament in 1865.

This was a completely unique time of rediscovery in the life of Oliphant, who used his insight to create an amusing collection of events from everyday life. With chapters simply entitled “Love,” “Madness” or “Suicide,” the book blends an amalgam of narratives inspired from real life portrayed through the eyes of Lord Frank Vanecourt and associated mainly with characters set in London’s exclusive Piccadilly W1 and the surrounding areas.

Oliphant insists that his book is not meant as a literal reflection of the lives of any public figures he may have met. Instead, he presents a unique view of the human condition, evaluating both the positive and grimmer elements of life in Piccadilly.
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