Laurence Sterne (1713­1768) was an English vicar with a talent for 
writing and a penchant for women. His major work, The Life and Opinions  
of Tristram Shandy  (1760) sent a wave through literary circles. Among 
his other works are Sermons of Mr. Yorick  (1760­1769), Journal to Eliza  
(1767) and A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy  (1768).

The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy  was written by Laurence 
Sterne from 1759 to 1767. As the plot meanders from one topic to 
another, the novel satirizes the rigid morality of Sterne’s time. On 
another level, it debunks contemporary literary conventions of violent 
adventures, structured plots and strict morality—hallmarks of such 
writers as Samuel Richardson and Henry Fielding.