Byron And Newstead: The Aristocrat and the Abbey

by John V. Beckett

This scholarly work examines the impact of Byron's supposed financial difficulties on his poetry and lifestyle, making a substantial contribution also to our understanding of the English aristocracy of the time.

352 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2001

About the author

John V. Beckett is Professor of English Regional History at the University of Nottingham. He is Chair of the Thoroton Society, Chair of the History of Lincolnshire Committee, Chair of the Nottinghamshire Archives User Group, and Convenor and Editor of the Nottinghamshire Church History Project.

Reviews

[Lisa Hopwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this from the library but would love to buy a copy for my own shelves as it’s a great one to delve into. The nitty-gritty of life at Newstead Abbey before and during the poet’s residence is thoroughly explored in this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it in all its minutiae, well researched by a great authority on local social history.

[Sam Hirst · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read. It's a really useful counter-narrative to a lot of Byron myths and it is an important perspective on Byron's finances and status as land-owner. It is also meticulously researched (there are a few small things which aren't up to date based on documents that have come to light since, but these are minor quibbles!)