Joseph Henry Shorthouse

Joseph Henry Shorthouse (born Sept. 9, 1834, Birmingham, Warwickshire, Eng.—died March 4, 1903, Edgbaston, near Birmingham) was an English novelist whose John Inglesant constitutes one of the best examples of the philosophical romance in English literature. Set in England and Italy during the 17th century, the work is concerned with conflicts between church and state, the Church of England and the Roman Catholic church, ritualism and simplicity, and different views of the sacraments, as well as other subjects. Its revenge plot—in which Inglesant pursues his brother’s murderer—is less important than the hero’s spiritual journey and assertion of the claims of the Anglican Church.

Shorthouse was brought up a Quaker, but, influenced by John Ruskin and the Pre-Raphaelite artists and attracted by Anglicanism, he became a convert to the Church of England in 1861. The contrast between the author’s upbringing and his adopted religion gives a particular colouring to John Inglesant, which Shorthouse began writing in 1866; it remained in manuscript until 1880, when 100 copies were privately printed. In 1881 it was published, and, highly praised by scientists, theologians, and politicians, it sold 9,000 copies within the year. Shorthouse’s other novels (including Sir Percival, 1886) were less successful.