Samuel Butler (1835–1902) was an English novelist, essayist, and satirist whose works explored the intersections of literature, science, and society during the Victorian era. Born in Nottinghamshire, Butler is best known for his semi-autobiographical novel “The Way of All Flesh,” a critical portrayal of Victorian family life and societal expectations. The novel, written in the late 19th century but published posthumously in 1903, gained recognition for its candid depiction of the protagonist’s struggles against oppressive social norms.
Apart from his fiction, Butler wrote essays, including the satirical “Darwin Among the Machines,” where he speculated on the evolution of machines and technology. His contrarian views on Darwinian evolution and his innovative approach to literature have garnered renewed interest in recent years, highlighting his contributions to Victorian literature and intellectual discourse.
