Other editions of book George Gordon, Lord Byron

Described by a contemporary as "mad, bad, and dangerous to know," Byron has been haunted by his infamous reputation for over 200 years. This readable and lively biography of the poet examines his chaotic life story, full of contradictions--an aristocrat with republican views, a proponent of romantic love notorious for his casual relationships, a religious agnostic who admired Roman Catholicism. His work was sensational from the start; his first poetry collection was withdrawn from circulation because it contained explicit references to his romantic conquests. He traveled through Europe on horseback, and on his return to London published a poem--Childe Harold's Pilgrimage--based on his experiences abroad. The poem was a bestseller, which established Lord Byron's reputation as one of England's most talented poets and Romanticism's most recognizable symbol. Other successful poems followed, such as Don Juan and Bride of Abydos. Byron's scandalous love affairs made him a celebrity, but also forced him to spend more and more time away from England. He lived in Italy and Greece and actively participated in the revolutionary movements in both countries. He died in Greece from fever just as his soldiers were preparing to attack a Turkish position. About the series: The British Library is in a unique position when it comes to biographical research, especially concerning British authors. This revered institution boasts the world's largest collection of original manuscripts, as well as an outstanding collection of letters, personal diaries, first editions, and other literary treasures. The titles in this series take full advantage of this vast source of documentary evidence by illustrating each of these lively writers' biographies with state-of-the-art facsimiles of pertinent documents and reproductions of art from the period. Penned by expert biographers, each of these books also contains an index, further reading list, and a chronology of the writer's life.

An introduction to the life and work of Lord Byron. Martin Garrett examines his poetry in the context of his short, eventful life. His work was sensational from the start - and the public association of the author directly with the hero of poems such as "Don Juan" and "Childe Harold" helped to make them the bestsellers of their day. However, Byron's position as the toast of society was eclipsed by public disgrace, not helped by the scandal of the breakdown of his marriage, the birth of a daughter to his half-sister Augusta, and Lady Caroline Lamb who spread rumours of his "unnatural practices". Martin Garrett relates how Byron spent the last ten years of his life travelling in Europe, and when he died aged 36 in 1824, his memoirs were burnt by friends who wished to protect his reputation from more scandal.

An introduction to the life and work of Lord Byron. Martin Garrett examines his poetry in the context of his short, eventful life. His work was sensational from the start - and the public association of the author directly with the hero of poems such as "Don Juan" and "Childe Harold" helped to make them the bestsellers of their day. However, Byron's position as the toast of society was eclipsed by public disgrace, not helped by the scandal of the breakdown of his marriage, the birth of a daughter to his half-sister Augusta, and Lady Caroline Lamb who spread rumors of his "unnatural practices". Martin Garrett relates how Byron spent the last ten years of his life traveling in Europe, and when he died aged 36 in 1824, his memoirs were burnt by friends who wished to protect his reputation from more scandal.