Arcadian Adventures with the Idle Rich (ePub)

Stephen Butler Leacock (1869-1944) was a renowned Canadian author and humorist, celebrated for his light-hearted satire and engaging wit. Born on December 30, 1869, in Swanmore, England, he immigrated to Canada with his family at a young age and grew up on a farm in Ontario. Leacock pursued higher education, earning a PhD in political economy from the University of Chicago. He then joined the faculty of McGill University in Montreal, where he became a beloved professor of economics and political science. His academic career, however, was overshadowed by his prolific writing. Leacock's literary journey began with 'Literary Lapses' in 1910, and he quickly gained fame as a humorist. One of his most notable works is 'Arcadian Adventures with the Idle Rich' (1914), a series of connected stories that serve as a satirical exploration of the foibles and follies of the affluent. Leacock's incisive social commentary and masterful use of irony are evident in this work, as well as in his other major titles like 'Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town' (1912) and 'Moonbeams from the Larger Lunacy' (1915). His writing style often drew comparisons to contemporary British authors such as P.G. Wodehouse and American humorists like Mark Twain. Today, Leacock is remembered as a foundational figure in Canadian literature and his books continue to be studied for their literary merit and historical significance.