Samuel Butler - The Fair Haven: "I do not mind lying, but I hate inaccuracy"

His relationship with his parents, especially his father, was largely antagonistic. His education began at home and included frequent beatings, as was all too common at the time.

Under his parents' influence, he was set to follow his father into the priesthood. He was schooled at Shrewsbury and then St John's College, Cambridge, where he obtained a first in Classics in 1858.

After Cambridge he went t...