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William Hazlitt (1778-1830) was an English critic, social commentator and essayist. In this compendium of impressions of his contemporaries, Hazlitt's cutting and witty style both celebrates and critiques the intellectual landscape of his time. The collection includes poets, authors, politicians and journalists as well as preachers and philosophers. This is unusual book is still a fascinating read today, making it a must-have for any literary historian or enthusiast of classic British literature. Contents: William Hazlitt - Jeremy Bentham - The Spirit of the Age - William Godwin - Mr. Coleridge - Rev. Mr. Irving - The Late Mr. Horne Tooke - Sir Walter Scott - Lord Byron - Mr. Southey - Mr. Wordsworth - Sir James Mackintosh - Mr. Malthus - Mr. Gifford - Mr. Jeffrey - Mr. Brougham-Sir F. Burdett - Lord Eldon-Mr. Wilberforce - Mr. Cobbett - Mr. Campbell and Mr. Crabbe - Mr. T. Moore-Mr. Leigh Hunt - Elia, and Geoffrey Crayon. We are republishing this acclaimed vintage text in a high quality, modern and affordable edition, complete with a specially written concise biography.
About the author
William Hazlitt was an English essayist, drama and literary critic, painter, social critic, and philosopher. He was born on April 10, 1778, and died on September 18, 1830. He is now thought to be up there with Samuel Johnson and George Orwell as one of the best critics and essayists in the history of the English language. People agree that he was also the best art critic of his time. Hazlitt went to school and learned things at home. At the age of 13, he was happy to see his writing in print for the first time. In July 1791, the Shrewsbury Chronicle printed a letter he wrote about the riots in Birmingham over Joseph Priestley's support for the French Revolution. During his life, he became friends with Charles and Mary Lamb, Stendhal, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, William Wordsworth, and John Keats, all of whom are now considered important 19th-century writers.
