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George Gordon Byron was born on January 22nd 1788. Lord Byron was an English poet who was a leading figure in the Romantic Movement. |
Lord Byron was active in many different fields of life including politics, he took his hereditary seat in the House of Lords in 1812. However Lord Byron is best remembered for his poetry which includes the classic poetry collections Child’s Harold’s Pilgrimage and Don Juan.
Don Juan was considered to be an epic of its age and was read widely by the Victorians, although to many it was considered to be somewhat shocking. The literary works of Byron were often characterised by characters who had a rebellious, non conformist streak. His heroes often displayed great skills and passion although they often misused their talents. To some extent the hero of Byron’s poems had a degree of autobiography.
As well as poetry Byron took an interest in social issues in Parliament he often stood up for disadvantaged groups and was one of the few to support the Luddites. The personal life of Byron was a tumultuous affair, attracting a good degree of speculation. Byron had a deep love for animals, in particular he was devoted to his dog Botswain.
George Gordon Byron was a significant figure in the movement of Romantic poets – along with others, such as Keats, Coleridge and Wordsworth.
“There is a pleasure in the pathless woods;
There is a rapture on the lonely shore;
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roars:
I love not man the less, but Nature more…”
Byron died in Greece in 1824. He was preparing to fight on behalf of the Greeks for their independence from the occupying Turks. Before he could enter battle he died from a violent cold and aggravated illness.
Poems by Byron
- All Is Vanity, Saieth the Preacher
- Prometheus
- She Walks in Beauty
- The Eve of Waterloo
- When We Two Parted
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