'He thoroughly grasped the complicated intermarriages of the Ritchies and their friends, and he is strong on allusions to the Bible and to hymns.' Charlotte Mitchell for the 'Times Literary Supplement',  13th July 2011 There can be no doubt that both collections by Aplin will enhance scholar's understanding of Thackeray but their greatest contribution will be to researchers of ... Read moreAnne Thackeray Ritchie's life. Clare Horrocks: Journal of Victorian Culture, Vol. 17 (2), 2012. "John Aplin has succeeded in resituating Thackeray the public author within a domestic, private history of daughters, cousins and generations. [...] Aplin writes well, balancing a sense of drama with a judicious use of evidence to make this family history compelling and readable." Judith L. Fisher, Trinity University 14th July 2013 John Aplin's incredibly detailed two-volume biography of the Thackeray family is another profoundly excellent addition to Thackeray studies. Years Work in English Studies, Vol. 92, No. 1, 2013 John Aplin has succeeded in resituating Thackeray the public author within a domestic, private history of daughters, cousins and generations. [...] Aplin writes well, balancing a sense of drama with a judicious use of evidence to make this family history compelling and readable. Judith L. Fisher, English Studies, Vol. 94, No.5, August 2013 Show Less