Smollett, Tobias

Tobias (1721-1771), a British novelist. He was born in Scotland, and was educated as a surgeon. He resided for a time in Jamaica, then in London. He is remembered for three humorous, coarse novels: Roderick Random, a series of sea tales; Peregrine Pickle, full of scrapes; and Humphrey Clinker, pronounced by Thackeray, himself touched with coarseness, the most laughable story in the language. "Facts are stubborn things," is a saying from Smollett.