Literature Desk :
Poet, playwright (1788-1824) Lord Byron is regarded as one of the greatest British poets and is best known for his brilliant use of the English language.
He was one of the leading figures of the Romantic Movement in early 19th century England. He was known by the beauty and brilliance of his writings. After leading an unconventional lifestyle and producing a massive amount of emotionally stirring literary works, Byron died at a young age in Greece pursuing romantic adventures of heroism.
Early life & early poems
Born George Gordon Byron (he later added ‘Noel’ to his name) on January 22, 1788, Lord Byron was the sixth Baron Byron of a rapidly fading aristocratic family. A clubfoot from birth left him self-conscious most of his life.
In 1798, at age 10, George inherited the title of his great-uncle, William Byron, and was officially recognised as Lord Byron. Two years later, he attended Harrow School in London. In 1803, Byron fell deeply in love with his distant cousin, Mary Chaworth, and this unrequited passion found expression in several poems, including ‘Hills of Annesley’ and ‘The Adieu.’
From 1805 to 1808, Byron attended Trinity College intermittently, and fell deep into debt. During this time, he found diversion from school and partying with boxing, horse riding and gambling. In June 1807, he formed an enduring friendship with John Cam Hobhouse and was initiated into liberal politics, joining the Cambridge Whig Club.
English Bards and Scotch Reviewers
After receiving a scathing review of his first volume of poetry, Hours of Idleness, in 1808, Byron retaliated with the satirical poem ‘English Bards and Scotch Reviewers.’ The poem attacked the literary community with wit and satire, and gained him his first literary recognition. Upon turning 21, Byron took his seat in the House of Lords. A year later, with John Hobhouse, he embarked on a grand tour through the Mediterranean and Aegean seas, visiting Portugal, Spain, Malta, Albania, Greece and Turkey.
‘Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage’
It was during his journey, filled with inspiration, he began writing ‘Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage,’ a poem of a young man’s reflections on travel in foreign lands.
Love affairs & more poems
In July 1811, Byron returned to London after the death of his mother, and in spite of all her failings, her passing plunged him into a deep mourning. High praise by London society pulled him out of his doldrums, as did love affairs, first with Lady Caroline Lamb and then with Lady Oxford, who encouraged Byron’s radicalism. The tumult and guilt he experienced as a result of the love affairs were reflected in a series of dark and repentant poems, ‘The Giaour,’ ‘The Bride of Abydos’ and ‘The Corsair.’
Exile
In April 1816, Byron left England, never to return. He traveled to Geneva, Switzerland, befriending Percy Bysshe Shelley, his wife Mary and her stepsister, Claire Clairmont. While in Geneva, Byron wrote the third canto to ‘Childe Harold,’ depicting his travels from Belgium up the Rhine to Switzerland. On a trip to the Bernese Oberland, Byron was inspired to write the Faustian poetic-drama Manfred. By the end of that summer the Shelleys departed for England.
‘Don Juan’
In October 1816, Byron and John Hobhouse sailed for Italy. Along the way he portrayed the experiences in his greatest poem, ‘Don Juan.’ The poem was a witty and satirical change from the melancholy of ‘Childe Harold’ and revealed other sides of Byron’s personality. He would go on to write 16 cantos before his death and leave the poem unfinished.
Between 1821 and 1822, Byron edited the society’s short-lived newspaper, ‘The Liberal.’
Last heroic adventure
In 1823, a restless Byron accepted an invitation to support Greek independence from the Ottoman Empire. Byron spent 4,000 pounds of his own money to refit the Greek naval fleet and took personal command of a Greek unit of elite fighters. On February 15, 1824, he fell ill. Doctors bled him, which weakened his condition further and likely gave him an infection.
Death
Byron died on April 19, 1824, at age 36. He was deeply mourned in England and became a hero in Greece. His body was brought back to England, but the clergy refused to bury him at Westminster Abbey, as was the custom for individuals of great stature. Instead, he was buried in the family vault near Newstead. In 1969, a memorial to Byron was finally placed on the floor of Westminster Abbey.
Poet, playwright (1788-1824) Lord Byron is regarded as one of the greatest British poets and is best known for his brilliant use of the English language.
He was one of the leading figures of the Romantic Movement in early 19th century England. He was known by the beauty and brilliance of his writings. After leading an unconventional lifestyle and producing a massive amount of emotionally stirring literary works, Byron died at a young age in Greece pursuing romantic adventures of heroism.
Early life & early poems
Born George Gordon Byron (he later added ‘Noel’ to his name) on January 22, 1788, Lord Byron was the sixth Baron Byron of a rapidly fading aristocratic family. A clubfoot from birth left him self-conscious most of his life.
In 1798, at age 10, George inherited the title of his great-uncle, William Byron, and was officially recognised as Lord Byron. Two years later, he attended Harrow School in London. In 1803, Byron fell deeply in love with his distant cousin, Mary Chaworth, and this unrequited passion found expression in several poems, including ‘Hills of Annesley’ and ‘The Adieu.’
From 1805 to 1808, Byron attended Trinity College intermittently, and fell deep into debt. During this time, he found diversion from school and partying with boxing, horse riding and gambling. In June 1807, he formed an enduring friendship with John Cam Hobhouse and was initiated into liberal politics, joining the Cambridge Whig Club.
English Bards and Scotch Reviewers
After receiving a scathing review of his first volume of poetry, Hours of Idleness, in 1808, Byron retaliated with the satirical poem ‘English Bards and Scotch Reviewers.’ The poem attacked the literary community with wit and satire, and gained him his first literary recognition. Upon turning 21, Byron took his seat in the House of Lords. A year later, with John Hobhouse, he embarked on a grand tour through the Mediterranean and Aegean seas, visiting Portugal, Spain, Malta, Albania, Greece and Turkey.
‘Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage’
It was during his journey, filled with inspiration, he began writing ‘Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage,’ a poem of a young man’s reflections on travel in foreign lands.
Love affairs & more poems
In July 1811, Byron returned to London after the death of his mother, and in spite of all her failings, her passing plunged him into a deep mourning. High praise by London society pulled him out of his doldrums, as did love affairs, first with Lady Caroline Lamb and then with Lady Oxford, who encouraged Byron’s radicalism. The tumult and guilt he experienced as a result of the love affairs were reflected in a series of dark and repentant poems, ‘The Giaour,’ ‘The Bride of Abydos’ and ‘The Corsair.’
Exile
In April 1816, Byron left England, never to return. He traveled to Geneva, Switzerland, befriending Percy Bysshe Shelley, his wife Mary and her stepsister, Claire Clairmont. While in Geneva, Byron wrote the third canto to ‘Childe Harold,’ depicting his travels from Belgium up the Rhine to Switzerland. On a trip to the Bernese Oberland, Byron was inspired to write the Faustian poetic-drama Manfred. By the end of that summer the Shelleys departed for England.
‘Don Juan’
In October 1816, Byron and John Hobhouse sailed for Italy. Along the way he portrayed the experiences in his greatest poem, ‘Don Juan.’ The poem was a witty and satirical change from the melancholy of ‘Childe Harold’ and revealed other sides of Byron’s personality. He would go on to write 16 cantos before his death and leave the poem unfinished.
Between 1821 and 1822, Byron edited the society’s short-lived newspaper, ‘The Liberal.’
Last heroic adventure
In 1823, a restless Byron accepted an invitation to support Greek independence from the Ottoman Empire. Byron spent 4,000 pounds of his own money to refit the Greek naval fleet and took personal command of a Greek unit of elite fighters. On February 15, 1824, he fell ill. Doctors bled him, which weakened his condition further and likely gave him an infection.
Death
Byron died on April 19, 1824, at age 36. He was deeply mourned in England and became a hero in Greece. His body was brought back to England, but the clergy refused to bury him at Westminster Abbey, as was the custom for individuals of great stature. Instead, he was buried in the family vault near Newstead. In 1969, a memorial to Byron was finally placed on the floor of Westminster Abbey.
