It was during his journey, filled with inspiration, he began writing 'Childe Harold's Pilgrimage,' a poem of a young man's reflections on travel in foreign lands. A year later, with John Hobhouse, he embarked on a grand tour through the Mediterranean and Aegean seas, visiting Portugal, Spain, Malta, Albania, Greece and Turkey. Upon turning 21, Byron took his seat in the House of Lords. Poems 'English Bards and Scotch Reviewers'Īfter receiving a scathing review of his first volume of poetry, Hours of Idleness, in 1808, Byron retaliated with the satirical poem 'English Bards and Scotch Reviewers.' The poem attacked the literary community with wit and satire, and gained him his first literary recognition.

In June 1807, he formed an enduring friendship with John Cam Hobhouse and was initiated into liberal politics, joining the Cambridge Whig Club.

During this time, he found diversion from school and partying with boxing, horse riding and gambling. In 1803, Byron fell deeply in love with his distant cousin, Mary Chaworth, and this unrequited passion found expression in several poems, including 'Hills of Annesley' and 'The Adieu.'įrom 1805 to 1808, Byron attended Trinity College intermittently, engaged in many sexual escapades and fell deep into debt. Two years later, he attended Harrow School in London, where he experienced his first sexual encounters with males and females. In 1798, at age 10, George inherited the title of his great-uncle, William Byron, and was officially recognized as Lord Byron. As a result he lacked discipline and a sense of moderation, traits he held on to his entire life. As a boy, young George endured a father who abandoned him, a schizophrenic mother and a nurse who abused him. A clubfoot from birth left him self-conscious most of his life. Early Life & Early Poemsīorn George Gordon Byron (he later added 'Noel' to his name) on January 22, 1788, Lord Byron was the sixth Baron Byron of a rapidly fading aristocratic family. After leading an unconventional lifestyle and producing a massive amount of emotionally stirring literary works, Byron died at a young age in Greece pursuing romantic adventures of heroism. The notoriety of his sexual escapades is surpassed only by the beauty and brilliance of his writings.

Lord Byron was one of the leading figures of the Romantic Movement in early 19th century England.

The Island by Lord Byron