George Gordon Byron

On this day in 1788 in London, was born George Gordon Byron, one of Britain’s greatest poet and one of the most important artists of European Romanticism. This poet and politician expressing individuality, although noble origin, refused to act in accordance with the conventions and rigid social norms of behavior of England in the early 19th century. He was educated first with the best tutors, and then in the most prestigious schools, studied at Cambridge, at the prestigious Trinity College, where the passion for reading and began to take an interest in liberal political ideas.

He was also the star of London drawing rooms and ballrooms. With the coming of age took place in the House of Lords of the British Parliament. Writes and publishes, travels through Europe, holds notable speeches in the House of Lords, but after his turbulent private life became the subject of tabloid press and the same one of London’s high society of which he was a favorite, decided to voluntary exile in 1816 and left England for good. In Switzerland he met Shelley, under whose influence will become more mature and expressive romantic poet. He moved to Venice in 1817, and when the cells next year, arrived in Italy, their friendship will continue even more intensively.

Begins to write “Don Juan” and actively participated in the revolutionary  movement for the liberation of Italy from the Austrian government. After the collapse of the movement and the death of daughter Alegre in 1823 goes to Greece to help the local rebels fighting for independence from the Ottoman Empire. Founder Byron Brigade, provide financial support to the rebels and died in 1824 in Missolonghi, in his 36. the age of malarial fever. Great Byron Greeks considered a national hero.