Overview

Shakespeare's Tremor and Orwell's Cough by John Ross delves into the untold medical histories of ten great writers. Ross combines literary scholarship and clinical insight to revisit iconic authors—from Shakespeare’s mysterious tremor to Orwell’s persistent cough—and proposes fresh diagnoses by reexamining historical evidence.

Exploring treatments from leeching and cupping to toxic arsenic doses, this study challenges traditional biographical accounts. Readers will gain new perspectives on figures such as Milton, Swift, the Brontës and Hawthorne, understanding how health struggles influenced their creativity and careers.

• Case studies of ten writers’ illnesses
• Revised diagnoses of famous symptoms
• Historical context of pre-modern treatments
• Analysis of illness on literary output

Perfect for enthusiasts of medical history, literary biography and the hidden stories behind classic literature.

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