Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874-1936) was an English literary and social critic, historian, playwright, poet, Catholic theologian, debater, mystery writer and foremost, a novelist. Among the primary achievements of Chesterton's extensive writing career are the wide range of subjects written about, the large number of genres employed, and the sheer volume of publications produced. He wrote several plays, around 80 books, several hundred poems, some 200 short stories and 4000 essays. Chesterton's writings without fail displayed wit and a sense of humor by incorporating paradox, yet still making serious comments on the world, government, politics, economics, theology, philosophy and many other topics. Chesterton saw England as being a culture in transition and in conflict with itself, and the struggles he saw play out dramatically in his story, «The Flying Inn». It is a tale of a man who is confronted by modern cultural trends. Mr. Humphrey Pump wants to visit the local pub in pursuit of a pleasant hour, but finds it is being shut down due to an unhealthy anachronism.
