The Adventures of Mr. Verdant Green: Part I (Illustrated)

The Adventures of Mr. Verdant Green, a novel by Cuthbert M. Bede, a pseudonym of Edward Bradley (1827–1889), recounts the exploits of Mr Verdant Green, a first-year undergraduate at Oxford University. The work was initially published in three separate parts during the 1850s (1853, 1854, and 1857) by James Blackwood, with early copies indicating that they were intended for sale at railway stations for reading while travelling.

Bradley himself had attended University College, Durham, graduating with a BA in 1848, but then spent a year or so at Oxford, studying to enter the church. Prior to the Oxford-based Verdant Green, Bradley had produced a series of pen and ink drawings titled "Ye freshmonne his adventures at University College, Durham," which were much admired by masters like George Cruikshank and John Leech. However, on the advice of Mark Lemon at Punch, he altered the setting to Oxford.

The Adventures of Mr. Verdant Green has since become something of a cult book about Oxford life. Interestingly, no fewer than nine chapters of Part III are devoted to Verdant Green's visit to Northumberland, where he passes through Darlington and crosses the recently completed High Level Bridge at Newcastle before visiting various locations, including Warkworth, Alnwick, Chillingham Castle, and Bamburgh. Bradley's intimate knowledge of the area is evident in his vivid descriptions of the wild landscape and the pleasures of riding, al fresco meals, and neighborly interactions.

The sequel, Little Mr Bouncer and his friend Verdant Green, further explores the lives of the same characters, while Tales of College Life, often bound with the Verdant Green books, introduces the character of Mr Affable Canary.

Bradley, born in Kidderminster on March 25, 1827, was the second son of Thomas Bradley, a surgeon. After his education at Kidderminster grammar school, he attended University College, Durham, where he was a Thorp and foundation scholar, graduating with a BA in 1848. He then spent a year or so at Oxford, pursuing various studies, though he never formally matriculated. During this time, he formed a lifelong friendship with John George Wood.

In addition to his literary pursuits, Bradley was also an English clergyman. His most popular work, The Adventures of Mr. Verdant Green, has become a beloved classic, offering readers an engaging and humorous glimpse into the experiences of an Oxford undergraduate. The work's enduring popularity is a testament to Bradley's storytelling abilities and his keen observation of the nuances of university life.

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