Author Description
This is an account of Lord Byron from his first "grand" tour in July 1809 until his death at the age of 36, placing him in the political and cultural setting of his time. No English poet enjoyed a higher contemporary reputation on the continent and none had more influence. In Greece he became a national hero; in Italy it was declared that "the day will come when Democracy will remember what it owes to Byron"; yet in England his morals were considered so dangerous that young women were urged to avert their gaze from him. There are extracts from his prolific writings of his travels. The book follows Byron's first travels in Portugal, southern Spain, Sardinia, Malta, Athens, Symrna and Constantinople. His second departure from England was precipitated by the break up of his marriage to Anne Isabelle Milbanke. Pursued by scandal and rumours circling around this break up, he left for Italy, via Switzerland and Milan, where he met Shelley and the French writer Stendhal. He lived in Italy for the next seven years, then in Greece until his death, where he brought what aid he could to the Greek struggle for independence from the Ottoman Empire. This publication coincides with the bicentenar
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This work investigates the life and cultural impact of Lord Byron, examining how his extensive travels across Europe and the Mediterranean shaped his reputation and political legacy. Allan Massie, a noted novelist and historian, utilizes a biographical framework to contextualize Byron's movements against the backdrop of 19th-century European politics. By integrating excerpts from Byron's own writings, the author illustrates the tension between the poet's continental celebrity and his scandalous reception in England.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Detailed accounts of Byron's travels through Portugal, Spain, Sardinia, Malta, Greece, and Italy.
- Analysis of Byron's interactions with contemporaries such as Shelley and Stendhal.
- Examination of Byron's involvement in the Greek struggle for independence from the Ottoman Empire.
Scope Limits
- The text focuses primarily on the period from 1809 until his death, rather than his early childhood or formative years in England.
- It does not provide a comprehensive literary critique of his entire poetic canon, focusing instead on the intersection of his life and geography.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Critics often note the accessible prose style that balances historical rigor with a narrative flow suitable for general readers. Experts highlight this work as a useful synthesis for those interested in the intersection of Romantic-era biography and European political history.
Page Count:
224
Publication Date:
1900-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford Paperbacks
ISBN-10:
0192828797
ISBN-13:
9780192828798
History
Biography
19th Century
British & Irish
Travel Writing
Literary Criticism