Publisher's Synopsis
The Prodigal Rake: Memoirs of William Hickey is a fascinating autobiography written by William Hickey, a notorious 18th-century rake and libertine. Hickey's memoirs provide a vivid and entertaining account of his scandalous life, filled with debauchery, intrigue, and excess.Born into a wealthy family in 1749, Hickey was sent to India at the age of 16 to work for the East India Company. There, he quickly gained a reputation as a womanizer and a gambler, and he spent much of his time indulging in these vices.Hickey's memoirs are filled with colorful characters and scandalous stories, including his affairs with numerous women, his involvement in a high-stakes gambling ring, and his close friendship with the infamous courtesan Kitty Fisher.Despite his many excesses, Hickey was a gifted writer and a keen observer of the world around him. His memoirs provide a fascinating glimpse into the life of an 18th-century rake, as well as a unique perspective on the social and cultural milieu of his time.Overall, The Prodigal Rake: Memoirs of William Hickey is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of sexuality, gender, and social relations in 18th-century England.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
