George
Gordon Byron (22.01.1788
- 19.04.1824) - English writer and poet
George
Gordon Byron, who is often referred to as Lord, was a prominent
English writer, poet and aristocrat. One of his most renowned
characters was Child Harold - his alter ego, who became the prototype
of numerous other heroes in European literature. That’s why even
after Byron’s death his books were highly-demanded.
The
well-known writer was born on January 22nd in 1788 in London.
However, his mother soon got divorced and moved with little George to
Scotland where her relatives lived. From the very childhood Byron
suffered from physical disability, which influenced greatly his life.
His right foot was deformed which caused him a limp that resulted in
lifelong misery. That’s why he had quite a difficult personality
and hysterical character.
In
fact, even having such physical disabilities, he voluntarily took
part in the Greek War of Independence and therefore was considered a
national hero of Greece. Already when the poet was eighteen his first
book was published but under a different name. It was a vast
collection of poems which he soon refilled with over a hundred of new
rhymes and published this time under his own name.
His
next book, released in 1809, received a wide response. The same year
he left England, as the sum of his debts dramatically increased, and
started exploring Europe. Byron visited Spain, Greece, Albania and
some other countries. His exciting journey lasted for two years and
that was the time when he started working on his successful poem
“Child Harold’s Pilgrimage”.
He
returned from the trip in 1811 and year later his poem was published.
That was the turning point in his career. He suddenly woke up famous.
It was an innovative poem in many ways with a new type of literary
character in all-European literature. Since then his creative life
was rather rich. The new poems and tales in verse were released,
among them “The Giaour”, “Hebrew Melodies” etc.
In
1815 Byron married to Anabella Milbenk, who gave birth to his
daughter a year later. However this marriage didn’t last; the
couple soon divorced. In 1816 he left his native England and moved
first to Geneva, then to Venice. The poet led as many would have said
an immoral life. At the same time he continued writing new verses:
the fourth song of “Child Harold”, the first parts of “Don
Giovanni”, “Ode on Venice”, etc.
In
April 1819 he met a woman who became his lifelong love. Her name was
Countess T. Guiccioli. Although they often moved from one city to
another, Byron’s creativity was on high level. During that period
he wrote “Cain” (the play, 1820), “The Bronze Age” (1823). In
1820 he joined the movement of Italian Carbonari and in 1823
enthusiastically participated in the struggle for liberty held in
Greece.
He
spent all his money, possessions and talent to help the local
population to gain freedom. In 1823 he fell seriously ill and a year
later the great poet died. He tried to get as much as possible out of
his life and he always looked for new adventures and experiences. G.
G. Byron was buried in Newstead.