Four hand-colored plates of "The Tours of Dr. Syntax" by Thomas Rowlandson, 1809/1820

Access and use

Location of collection:
George Mason University
2400 Fenwick Library
Special Collections Research Center
Fenwick Library MS2FL
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Mieko Palazzo
Phone: (703) 993-2220
Fax: (703) 993-2669
Restrictions:

There are no access restrictions.

Terms of access:

No known copyright. The Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries believes that this collection is not restricted by copyright or related rights, but a conclusive determination could not be made. (See https://rightsstatements.org/page/NKC/1.0/?language=en)

Preferred citation:

Four hand-colored plates of "The Tours of Dr. Syntax" by Thomas Rowlandson, C0552, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries

Summary

Extent:
.01 Linear Feet 1 folder
Creator:
Rowlandson, Thomas, 1756-1827
Language:
English
Abstract:
Four hand-colored plates of "The Tours of Dr. Syntax" by Thomas Rowlandson taken from editions including William Combe's poems.
Preferred citation:

Four hand-colored plates of "The Tours of Dr. Syntax" by Thomas Rowlandson, C0552, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries

Background

Scope and content:
Dr. Syntax in Search of the Picturesque:

- "The Rev. (D) Doctor Syntax" – No publication information included

- "Doctor Syntax, Made Free of the Cellar" – Pub. Feb. 1, 1815 (printed at top)

- "Doctor Syntax, Returned From His Tour" – Pub. Feb. 1, 1815 (printed at top)

The remaining plate originally appeared inIn Search of Consolation:

- "The Visit of Dr. Syntax to the Widow Hopefull at York" – Date appears to read Feb. 1, 1820. This item has been cut unevenly across the bottom, under the image, partially obscuring or removing publication information.

Biographical / historical:

The character of Dr. Syntax first appeared in Rudolph Ackerman's "Poetical Magazine" in May 1809. Initially created as a series of illustrations by artist Thomas Rowlandson, the character of Dr. Syntax is often referred to as an English Don Quixote type character, designed to satirize the late 18th century trend of the "picturesque" and travel writing. These visual adventures were accompanied by poems written by William Combe detailing Dr. Syntax's misadventures based on the mishaps and scenarios first conceived in Rowlandson's drawings. From 1809-1811 Rowlandson and Combe published monthly serial adventures of Dr. Syntax in Ackerman's magazine under the title "The Schoolmaster's Tour." In 1812 these initial poems and illustrations were published in book form under the new title Dr. Syntax in Search of the Picturesque. Two more books were published, In Search of Consolation (1820) and In Search of a Wife (1821). Dr. Syntax and his adventures were widely popular throughout both Great Britain and Europe, including Germany, France, and Denmark, and editions of "The Tours of Dr. Syntax" books continued to be published through the early 20th century.

Popularized by artist, Anglican cleric, and schoolmaster William Gilpin (1724-1804) the concept of the "picturesque" reflects a post-Enlightenment rejection of strict lines and angles and a preference for the "rough, varied, and irregular forms of nature." In support of this, Gilpin encouraged travel outside of the city to more rural locations, specifically visits to medieval ruins, while also advocating for visual or written representations of these scenes that "improved" upon the real landscape to make them more "picturesque."

Thomas Rowlandson was born in London, England in July 1756 or 1757. He was admitted to the Royal Academy at the age of 16 where he studied drawing between 1772-1777. In 1784, he began work as a political caricaturist and in 1809 created the character of Dr. Syntax, which would be the most high-profile work of his career. Rowlandson passed away in April 1827.

William Combe was born in Bristol, England in 1741 or 1742. The son of a wealthy merchant father, Combe was educated at Eton and attended Oxford University from 1760-1761, but spent much of his life deeply in debt due to his lavish lifestyle and excessive gambling. In 1763, Combe left England for an extended tour of Europe, and began writing professionally upon his return in 1766. In 1809 he was approached by Rudolph Ackerman to write poems to complement the Dr. Syntax illustrations created by Thomas Rowlandson. However, despite the success of this collaboration, Combe's money troubles continued throughout his life and he passed away on June 19, 1823.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from Schubertiade Music by Lynn Eaton in March 2025.
Processing information:

Processing completed by Meghan Glasbrenner in April 2026. Finding aid completed by Meghan Glasbrenner in June 2026.

Arrangement:

This is a single folder collection.

Physical location:
R 73, C 2, S 4
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard