Thomas Bowdler Quotes

A collection of quotes by Thomas Bowdler.

Thomas Bowdler (1754-1825) was an English physician and author. He is best known for his work on "Philippic Antiquities," a family-friendly edition of William Shakespeare's plays, titled "The Family Shakespeare." Bowdler's intention was to remove what he considered to be indecent, immoral, or offensive content, making the plays more suitable for women and children. His heavily censored edition sparked much controversy and was both praised for its moral intent and criticized for its heavy-handedness. The term "bowdlerize" was derived from his name, becoming synonymous with the act of purifying literature by removing explicit or offensive content.