Lord Byron

Full Name: George Gordon Byron
Profession: Romantic Poet

Nationality:

Biography: Lord Byron was a key figure in the Romantic movement and was famously called “mad, bad, and dangerous to know." He is best known for his famous works like "Don Juan," "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage," and "Hebrew Melodies."

Byron became the 6th Baron Byron at age 10, inheriting Newstead Abbey. He was born with a deformed right foot, which caused him distress throughout his life, and was educated at various schools before attending Trinity College, Cambridge.

Early in his literary career, Byron published "Hours of Idleness" but faced harsh criticism. He responded with the satirical "English Bards and Scotch Reviewers." From 1809-1811, Byron traveled widely in Europe and this inspired his famous work "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage" (1812) and brought him instant fame.

Byron's personal life was marked by many varied scandals. He had an affair with Lady Caroline Lamb and a troubled marriage to Annabella Milbanke. He fathered Ada Lovelace, a pioneer in computer programming, and Allegra Byron.

Living in exile in Italy, Byron continued writing, most notably completing "Don Juan," and developed friendships with other famous poets like Percy Bysshe Shelley. In 1823, Byron joined the Greek struggle for independence from the Ottoman Empire.

Byron died of a fever in Greece in 1824 at age 36.

Born: January 22, 1788
Birthplace: London, England, United Kingdom
Star Sign: Aquarius

Died: April 19, 1824 (aged 36)
Cause of Death: Fever