Things to do > Literature & legend > Lord Byron

Byron was one of the most flamboyant of English poets, equally famous for his colourful character and turbulent private life as for his poetry. At the forefront of the Romantic Movement, he had a profound influence on European literature.

After winning early fame as the most fashionable poet of Georgian England, Byron's reputation turned from celebrity to notoriety. Exiled by hostile public opinion amid mounting debts and the aftermath of a disastrous marriage, his best known work, Don Juan, was written during extensive travels through Europe and the near East.

Byron died championing the cause of Greek liberation during her struggle to win political independence from Turkish rule, and for many Greeks, the aristocratic Englishman is still regarded as a national hero.

Byron at Newstead

The passionate and rebellious poet inherited his title and Newstead Abbey in Nottinghamshire at the age of ten.

From 1803, Byron lived with his mother in Southwell and then in 1808 moved into the imposing Newstead Abbey. He spent much of his time reading and writing at the Abbey. He used the great hall and dining room to practise fencing, boxing and pistol shooting with friends. And he even kept a bear among his other pets.

Byron lived here until 1814 when financial problems forced him to sell Newstead.

The Byron legend

The legend continues to fascinate. Followers the world over visit Nottinghamshire to explore his family seat, and his final resting place at Hucknall Church or to retrace his steps in Nottingham and the beautiful country town of Southwell, where the young poet spent his school vacations. He also spent eight months in Nottingham from November 1798 to July 1799. At this period, Byron was described as 'a fine sharp Boy a little spoiled by indulgence' and some of this sharpness emerges in his mordant verse caricature of his great-aunt Frances Byron.

'In Nottingham county there lives at Swine Green,
As curst an old lady as ever was seen,
And when she does die, which I hope will be soon,
She firmly believes she will go to the moon.'

The International Byron Festival took place between 4-16 July 2006, click here to find out more.

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