This collection brings together the most important works of Oliver Goldsmith, one of the greatest English writers of the 18th century. It includes his classic plays, such as She Stoops to Conquer and The Good-Natur'd Man, as well as his essays, poems, and novel The Vicar of Wakefield. The book also features a detailed biography of Goldsmith's life and career, and provides critical notes and commentary on his works. 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.

Oliver Goldsmith arrived in England a penniless Irishman and toiled for years in the anonymity of Grub Street. Norma Clarke tells how this destitute scribbler became one of literary London’s most celebrated authors, transmuting dark truths about the empire into fable and nostalgia whose undertow of Irish indignation remains just barely perceptible.