Definition

Proper noun: - Edward George Earle Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton: An English writer, politician, and poet of the 19th century, known primarily for his prolific output of historical novels, plays, and other works. He is often cited for his elaborate and ornate prose style.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The novel "The Last Days of Pompeii" was written by Bulwer-Lytton.
  • Literary critics often discuss the florid style characteristic of Bulwer-Lytton's writing.

Advanced Usage

• "Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest": A whimsical annual writing competition that challenges entrants to compose the opening sentence to the worst possible novel, inspired by the famously ornate opening line of Bulwer-Lytton's novel : "It was a dark and stormy night..."
  • He entered the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest with a deliberately terrible sentence.

Variants and Related Words

• Lytton: A common shortened reference to the author.
  • The works of Lytton were immensely popular in the Victorian era.

Synonyms

• Novelist: A writer of novels.
• Man of letters: A scholar or author involved in literary activity.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• "It was a dark and stormy night...": This phrase, from Bulwer-Lytton's 1830 novel, has become a proverbial example of a clichéd or overly melodramatic opening line in fiction.
  • The story began with the classic, "It was a dark and stormy night..."

Noun

1. English writer of historical romances (1803-1873)