How did Tristram Shandy make Laurence Sterne famous in London?

Laurence Sterne achieved fame in London through the publication of the first two volumes of his experimental novel, The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman. Although Sterne initially published these volumes at his own expense in York in late 1759, he sent half of the imprint to the London printer Robert Dodsley to be sold.12

By the time Sterne traveled to London in March 1760, the novel had become a sensation, and he was widely celebrated as the most sought-after man in the city. Following this success, Dodsley’s brother, James, published a second edition of the work, which further solidified Sterne's reputation. He became affectionately known to the public as "Tristram Shandy" or "Parson Yorick," characters from his writing, and he subsequently continued to publish further volumes of the novel as his own publisher.12