Paul Clifford — Volume 01

"Paul Clifford — Volume 01" by Baron Edward Bulwer Lytton is a novel written in the early 19th century. The story centers around the character Paul Clifford, a young man whose tumultuous life begins in the dark and stormy depths of London’s lower classes. The prefaces highlight Bulwer Lytton's intention to explore societal issues related to crime, punishment, and the impact of upbringing on moral development. The opening of "Paul Clifford" introduces readers to a grim scene dominated by a dying woman named Judith, who struggles with her past and her affection for her child, Paul. She ultimately entrusts her son to Mrs. Margery Lobkins, a publican, expressing her fears and regrets over raising him in such a toxic environment. Following this tragic introduction, Paul is depicted as a young boy growing under Mrs. Lobkins' care, where he navigates both the nurturing aspects of his unconventional family and the darker elements of street life. As he grows, he yearns for knowledge and social status but grapples with influences that threaten to lead him astray, setting the stage for his tumultuous journey ahead. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Edward George Earle Lytton Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton,, was an English writer and politician. He served as a Whig member of Parliament from 1831 to 1841 and a Conservative from 1851 to 1866. He was Secretary of State for the Colonies from June 1858 to June 1859, choosing Richard Clement Moody as founder of British Columbia. He was created Baron Lytton of Knebworth in 1866.