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This page is part of the Hoax Archive, a collection of history's most interesting and notorious deceptions categorized by theme and time period.
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Milton Rejected
Date: 1887
Categories: Literary Hoaxes, Literary Bait and Switch, 1850-1899
Categories: Literary Hoaxes, Literary Bait and Switch, 1850-1899
In 1887 a "disappointed literary aspirant," hoping to illustrate the ignorance of publishers and the diffulties faced by unknown authors, copied out the text of Milton's drama "Samson Agonistes," retitled it "Like a Giant Refreshed," and sent it as an original work of his own to publishers and editors. None recognized the work. One rejected it because it was too like a sensational novel. Another said it was "disfigured by Scotticisms." A third offered to publish it, but only if the author contributed thirty pounds toward the expenses.
The literary aspirant (whose name is not known) published the results of his experiment in a letter sent to the St. James's Gazette.
The literary aspirant (whose name is not known) published the results of his experiment in a letter sent to the St. James's Gazette.
Links and References
- "Samson and the Philistines." (January 1888). Book News. p. 229.
- Walsh, William. (1893). Handy-Book of Literary Curiosities. J.B. Lippincott Company. Philadelphia. 1893: 469-470.



