The Caxtons: Edward Bulwer-Lytton (Historical, Classics, Literature) [Annotated]

by Edward Bulwer-Lytton

The A Family Picture is an 1849 Victorian novel by Edward Bulwer-Lytton. The Caxtons are Austin Caxton, a scholar engaged on a great work, 'The History of Human Error'; his wife Kitty; his brother Roland, the Captain; the two children, Herbert and Blanche; and Austin's son, Pisistratus, who tells the story.

752 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 27, 2021

About the author

Edward George Earle Lytton Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton PC, was an English novelist, poet, playwright, and politician. Lord Lytton was a florid, popular writer of his day, who coined such phrases as "the great unwashed", "pursuit of the almighty dollar", "the pen is mightier than the sword", and the infamous incipit "It was a dark and stormy night."

He was the youngest son of General William Earle Bulwer of Heydon Hall and Wood Dalling, Norfolk and Elizabeth Barbara Lytton, daughter of Richard Warburton Lytton of Knebworth, Hertfordshire. He had two brothers, William Earle Lytton Bulwer (1799–1877) and Henry Bulwer, 1st Baron Dalling and Bulwer.

Lord Lytton's original surname was Bulwer, the names 'Earle' and 'Lytton' were middle names. On 20 February 1844 he assumed the name and arms of Lytton by royal licence and his surname then became 'Bulwer-Lytton'. His widowed mother had done the same in 1811. His brothers were always simply surnamed 'Bulwer'.