On December 28, 1817, the eccentric painter B. R. Haydon gave a
famous dinner party in his painting room in London. He invited,
among others, three of the greatest literary lights of the age: the
poets John Keats and William Wordsworth and the essayist and wit
Charles Lamb. Over the course of a long winter evening of delights,
the guests recited poetry, indulged in high-minded conversation,
and took part in ridiculous antics, with such displays of
brilliance and wit that the party came to be known as the Immortal
Dinner. Penelope Hughes-Hallett celebrates this unique gathering by
vividly bringing to life these illustrious diners against a
backdrop of social change. Literary London society was at its
extraordinarily gifted best just two years after Waterloo: the
Elgin Marbles controversy still raged; Mrs. Siddons performed Lady
Macbeth in her drawing room to a distinguished audience; Joseph
Ritchie, a young physician and would-be poet, prepared to explore
the River Niger with a copy of Keats in his pocket. The Immortal
Dinner offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives and thoughts of
this literary elite at a turning point in English society. It
recaptures these rare spirits, using a great many of their own
words from letters and diaries. With 75 black-and-white
illustrations and 2 maps.
General
Imprint: |
The Lyons Press
|
Country of origin: |
United States |
Release date: |
October 2023 |
Authors: |
Penelope Hughes-Hallett
|
Dimensions: |
216 x 140mm (L x W) |
Format: |
Paperback - Trade
|
Pages: |
352 |
ISBN-13: |
978-1-4930-7653-6 |
Categories: |
Books
|
LSN: |
1-4930-7653-1 |
Barcode: |
9781493076536 |
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