This biography of the 18th-century British writer Oliver Goldsmith provides a detailed and sympathetic portrait of one of the most beloved figures of English literature. Drawing on a range of primary sources, including Goldsmith's own writings, Washington Irving brings to life the man behind such classics as 'The Vicar of Wakefield' and 'She Stoops to Conquer'. A must-read for anyone interested in the history of English literature. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.