Definition

Proper noun: 1. Samuel Butler (1612–1680): An English poet and satirist, best known for his mock-heroic poem Hudibras. 2. Samuel Butler (1835–1902): An English novelist and critic, author of the satirical utopian novel Erewhon and the semi-autobiographical novel The Way of All Flesh.

Usage Examples

• Referring to the 17th-century poet:

  • Samuel Butler's "Hudibras" is a celebrated satire on Puritanism.
  • The works of Samuel Butler from the 1600s influenced later satirical writers.

• Referring to the 19th-century novelist:

  • In "Erewhon", Samuel Butler created a land where illness is a crime.
  • Samuel Butler's posthumously published novel, "The Way of All Flesh", is a critique of Victorian family life.

Advanced Usage

• Disambiguation in academic contexts: Because there are two notable authors with this name, scholars often specify the century or the major work when referring to them to avoid confusion.
  • The Victorian Samuel Butler was also a keen critic of Charles Darwin's theories.

Variants and Related Words

• Butlerian (adj): Pertaining to the ideas or works of Samuel Butler (typically the 19th-century author).
  • The lecture explored Butlerian themes in modern science fiction.

Synonyms

• The author of "Hudibras" (for the 17th-century poet).
• The author of "Erewhon" (for the 19th-century novelist).

Notes on Meaning

It is crucial to distinguish between these two distinct historical figures who share the same name. Context (century, literary work mentioned) is always key to determining which Samuel Butler is being discussed.

Noun

1. English poet (1612-1680)
2. English novelist who described a fictitious land he called Erewhon (1835-1902)