Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_Apology_for_the_Life_of_Colley_Cibber

Release date is 2013-10-29

E-text prepared by Jonathan Ingram, RSPIII, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made available by Internet Archive/American Libraries (https://archive.org/details/americana)

"An Apology for the Life of Mr. Colley Cibber, Volume 1 (of 2)" by Colley Cibber is an autobiographical work written in the early 18th century. This engaging text provides a candid look into the life of Cibber, a prominent actor and playwright of his time, exploring the social, political, and theatrical landscapes that shaped his experiences. Through his account, Cibber aims to defend his reputation and provide insights into the world of theater during a formative period in English drama. The opening of the work introduces Colley Cibber's motivations for writing his autobiography, emphasizing his desire to transparently present his life to the public rather than leave it to the interpretations of others. He reflects on his past follies and how they contributed to his happiness, challenging the notion that wisdom is the ultimate pursuit. Cibber sets the stage for a narrative that seeks to provide an authentic look at not only his personal life but also the broader context of theatrical history in which he played a key role. The beginning hints at a blend of humor, self-reflection, and critical examination of societal norms surrounding the stage and its performers. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Original publication data not identified