Solomon and Solomonic Literature

"Solomon and Solomonic Literature" by Moncure Daniel Conway is a scholarly examination of the mythology and historical representation surrounding King Solomon, written in the late 19th century. The text delves into the various legends, accounts, and works attributed to Solomon, highlighting the evolution of his character as both the wisest and most worldly of men, while also referencing his influence on literature and culture in subsequent eras. Conway's work aims to trace the complex narratives and interpretations associated with Solomon's life and writings. At the start of this extensive exploration, Conway discusses the legendary nature of Solomon, indicating that while there is much myth surrounding him, his character remains influential in historical and literary contexts. He notes the absence of definitive contemporary historical records that confirm Solomon's existence but argues that the depth of his story and the wisdom attributed to him represent significant reflections on the human heart and mind. The opening portion introduces concepts of Solomon's alleged wisdom, his relationships, and the mythological interpretations that have arisen through various cultures, setting the stage for a detailed inquiry into the literature associated with him. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Moncure Daniel Conway was an American abolitionist minister and radical writer. At various times Methodist, Unitarian, and a Freethinker, he descended from patriotic and patrician families of Virginia and Maryland but spent most of the final four decades of his life abroad in England and France, where he wrote biographies of Edmund Randolph, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Thomas Paine and his own autobiography. He led freethinkers in London's South Place Chapel, now Conway Hall.