George Gordon, Lord Byron

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George Gordon, Lord Byron (Dictionary of World Biography: The 19th Century)

Early Life

George Gordon was born in London on January 22, 1788. He had an aristocratic heritage on both sides of the family. On his father’s side, the Byrons had long been known for their eccentricity, and Byron’s father, Captain John Byron, led a wild and reckless life, squandering the family wealth. He died when the poet was three, having separated from his wife the previous year. The poet’s mother, Catherine Gordon of Gight, was descended from one of the most notable families in Scotland.

Until 1798, the young Byron lived with his mother in Aberdeen,...

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