Lewis Carroll: A Wikifocus Book

The book starts with basic biographical information and then covers Dodgson's education. Apparently as far as study and work goes, he did not always apply himself as much as he should have. He was bored with the teacher career as the students he had did not seem very interested in math.

Then the book goes into his health problems, including a stammer and problems after a bout with whooping cough. He was good at singing and story telling. The book next delves into his social connections. Then it covers his philosophy, politics and religion. He as a conservative in all three areas.

I find it interesting that he was a founding member of the Society for Psychical Research since this involves an area that scientists and mathematicians would seem not to want to be involved with since it is not 'pure' science.

Next the book covers his artistic involvements, including writing for various magazines and papers. There were various other possible titles for Alice in Wonderland that were rejected. Then it goes into his other works.

One thing the book makes clear is that Dodgson did not just take photos of nude children; he took photos of all sorts of things, human and non-human. He wrote about a dozen books on mathematics.

The work also examines the controversy over his photos of nude girls and how wildly different interpretations can be given of them depending on whether one examines them with 21st century politics and social practices or with the politics and social practices of the 18th century.

The book next examines his religious work. Then it again goes into the photos of nude children and whether Dodgson was or was not a pedophile in today's terms. It then lists Dodgson's published works. This is followed by footnotes on the book itself. Then references and external links are given.

There's rather a decent bit of information in this relatively short work.

Main Index

Main Alice in Wonderland index page