Sterne, Laurence

Sterne, Laurence, an Anglican clergyman, was born at Clonmell, in the South of Ireland, Nov. 24, 1713. After moving from place to place with his family, he was entered at a school near Halifax, Yorkshire, where he remained till 1731. In the following year he was admitted to Jesus College, Cambridge, where he took the degree of A.B. in January 1736, and that of A.M. in 1740. During this time he was ordained, and through his uncle, James Sterne, prebendary of Durham, obtained the living of Sutton, and afterwards a prebend of York. Through his wife he secured the living of Stillington. He resided for twenty years principally at Sutton. In 1762 he went to France, and in 1764 to Italy. Returning to England, he died at his lodgings in London March 18, 1768. He wrote, Sermons (Lond. 1760, 2 vols.; of which there are many subsequent editions): — The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gent. (York, 1759, 2 vols. 12mo): — A Sentimental Journey through France and Italy (Lond. 1768, 2 vols. 12mo): — Letters (ibid. 1775, 3 vols. 12mo). For information as to editions of these several works, many of which, are strongly tinged with immoral sentiments, see Allibone, Dict. of Brit. and Amer. Authors, s.v.