The Unicorn Found

Lewis Carroll incorporated the heraldic symbols of the lion and unicorn into his classic novel, Through the Looking Glass. Building upon the story in the traditional nursery rhyme, Carroll pits the two characters against each other in an absurd rivalry for the crown of the White King. This edition features illustrations by British political cartoonist Sir John Tenniel. Tenniel’s depictions of the lion and the unicorn are intended to represent Benjamin Disraeli and William Ewart Gladstone, two late 19th century British politicians who served consecutive terms as Prime Minister and were well-known for their extreme dislike of each other. Their rivalry began early in their careers, as they struggled to define their party associations and compete for the favor of the voting public and Queen Victoria (Tenniel’s White King). Media of the day regularly recounted their fierce debates and the disparaging language they used about each other in correspondences.