Lord Byron

Who Was Lord Byron?

Lord Byron, born George Gordon Byron, was one of the most prominent figures of the Romantic Movement in early 19th century England. Renowned for both his captivating literary works and scandalous personal life, Byron became a symbol of romanticism’s passion and excess. His literary brilliance is matched only by the notoriety of his relationships, and his untimely death in Greece at the age of 36 further cemented his image as a tragic hero, chasing ideals of romance and heroism to his end.

Early Life & Early Poems

Born on January 22, 1788, to an aristocratic family in decline, Byron inherited the title of sixth Baron Byron from his great-uncle in 1798, at the age of 10. His physical appearance was marred by a clubfoot, which made him self-conscious throughout his life. His early years were marked by personal hardship—his father abandoned the family, his mother struggled with mental illness, and he was subjected to abuse by a nurse. These challenges contributed to Byron’s lifelong struggles with discipline and moderation.

Byron’s education began at Harrow School in London, where he not only began his studies but also his first sexual experiences. He formed his first deep infatuation at the age of 15 with his distant cousin Mary Chaworth, a love that was never returned. This unrequited passion found its expression in several of his early poems, including “Hills of Annesley” and “The Adieu.”

From 1805 to 1808, Byron attended Trinity College, though his time there was marked more by indulgence in hedonistic pleasures—boxing, horse riding, gambling, and numerous sexual liaisons—than by academic pursuit. It was during this period that Byron became entrenched in the world of liberal politics, forming a lasting friendship with John Cam Hobhouse and joining the Cambridge Whig Club. Byron’s political and personal life during this time also led to accumulating debts, further complicating his early years.

Poems

English Bards and Scotch Reviewers

In 1808, after facing a harsh and scathing review of his first poetry collection, Hours of Idleness, Lord Byron responded with the biting and satirical poem English Bards and Scotch Reviewers. Through this work, Byron sharply criticized the literary establishment, employing wit and satire to defend his reputation. The poem, marked by its sharp commentary, garnered him his first significant literary recognition. At the age of 21, Byron took his seat in the House of Lords, beginning his active participation in British political life. The following year, he set out on a grand tour of the Mediterranean and Aegean seas, accompanied by his close friend John Hobhouse. Their travels took them through Portugal, Spain, Malta, Albania, Greece, and Turkey.

Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage

Amidst his travels, Byron was deeply inspired to begin writing Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage. The poem follows a young man’s reflections on his experiences and observations while journeying through foreign lands. Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage not only marked a significant literary achievement for Byron but also became a defining work of his career, encapsulating themes of wanderlust, melancholy, and introspection.

Love Affairs and More Poems

In July 1811, after the death of his mother, Byron returned to London. Despite their complex relationship, her passing threw him into deep mourning. However, high praise from London society gradually lifted his spirits, as did a series of intense love affairs. His first notable relationship was with the passionate and eccentric Lady Caroline Lamb, who famously described Byron as “mad, bad, and dangerous to know.” Following this, Byron had an affair with Lady Oxford, who supported his radical views. In the summer of 1813, Byron’s personal life became even more tumultuous, as he reportedly began an intimate relationship with his half-sister, Augusta, who was married at the time. The emotional turmoil and guilt stemming from these affairs found expression in his darker, repentant poems, such as The Giaour, The Bride of Abydos, and The Corsair.

In September 1814, seeking to escape the chaos of his personal life, Byron proposed to the intellectual and well-educated Anne Isabella Milbanke (known as Annabella Milbanke). They married in January 1815, and by December, their daughter, Augusta Ada—later famous as Ada Lovelace—was born. However, the marriage soon crumbled under the weight of Byron’s growing debts, his drinking, and the rumors surrounding his previous affairs, including the scandalous relationship with his half-sister and whispers of his bisexuality. By January 1816, Annabella left Byron, and he never saw either her or their daughter again.

Exile

Byron left England in April 1816, never to return. He journeyed to Geneva, Switzerland, where he befriended Percy Bysshe Shelley, Shelley’s wife Mary, and her stepsister Claire Clairmont. While in Geneva, Byron continued writing Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage, completing its third canto. His travels through Belgium, the Rhine, and Switzerland inspired him to write the Faustian poetic drama Manfred. When the Shelleys returned to England, Byron stayed behind, and during the summer of 1817, his daughter Allegra was born to Claire Clairmont.

‘Don Juan’

In October 1816, Byron and John Hobhouse sailed to Italy, where Byron’s affairs with various women continued. His experiences served as the foundation for his most famous work, Don Juan. This witty and satirical poem marked a departure from the melancholy tone of Childe Harold and showcased Byron’s playful and irreverent side. He would go on to write 16 cantos of Don Juan before his death, leaving the poem unfinished.

In 1818, Byron’s life of excess had aged him considerably. He then met 19-year-old Teresa Guiccioli, a married countess, with whom he formed a deep, though unconsummated, relationship. Their bond continued until Teresa separated from her husband. Byron soon won the approval of Teresa’s father, who inducted him into the secret Carbonari society, dedicated to liberating Italy from Austrian rule. Between 1821 and 1822, Byron edited the society’s short-lived publication, The Liberal.

The Last Heroic Adventure

In 1823, Byron accepted an invitation to support Greek independence from the Ottoman Empire. He spent 4,000 pounds of his own money refitting the Greek naval fleet and personally commanded an elite Greek unit. However, on February 15, 1824, Byron fell ill. Medical treatment, including bloodletting, worsened his condition and likely led to an infection.

Death

Byron died on April 19, 1824, at the age of 36. His death was deeply mourned in England, and he was hailed as a hero in Greece. His body was returned to England, but the clergy refused to bury him at Westminster Abbey, as was customary for eminent figures, citing his scandalous reputation. Instead, Byron was interred in the family vault near Newstead Abbey. In 1969, a memorial to Byron was placed in Westminster Abbey, honoring his lasting legacy.