Robert Bage - Biography

Biography

Born in Darley Abbey, near Derby, Bage was the son of a paper-maker and was himself a papier. Bage's father had four wives, the first of whom was Bage's mother. She died soon after his birth. Bage received his early education at a common school in Derby, where he was an excellent student. He attained a working knowledge of Latin by the age of 7. He was given his training as a papier while he was an apprentice to his father. At the age of 23 Bage married a beautiful and wealthy young woman. With the boost in his finances he set up a paper manufacturing business in Elford, Staffordshire, which he continued until his death.

He was a skilled businessman, and his smooth running of his business allowed him time for intellectual pursuits. He learned the French language on his own through books, and studied mathematics. In 1765 he entered into a partership in an iron foundry with three other men including Erasmus Darwin. After 14 years in business the partnership was terminated, leaving Bage with a loss of over 1000 pounds. This was a considerable loss, and Bage decided to begin his career in literature partly to make up for it. He published his first novel, Mount Henneth, in 1781.

Bage left Elford eight years before his death in 1801, and resided nearby in Tamworth. He was survived by his wife and two of his sons. His other son John had died as a young man, a great affliction to Bage. His oldest son Charles settled in Shrewsbury where he was a cotton manufacturer, and his youngest son Edward became a surgeon.