Percy Bysshe Shelley: A Monograph

Henry S. Salt

Publisher: Swan Sonnenschein, Lowrey & Co., London
Published: 1888
Length: 277
Format: Hardback
Reprints: 1892

Summary

Percy Bysshe Shelley: A Monograph by Henry S. Salt offers a unique, sympathetic portrayal of the life and principles of the renowned Romantic poet. Unlike many of Shelley’s biographers, Salt aligns deeply with Shelley’s social and moral doctrines, presenting an account that emphasizes the ethical foundations behind his actions and beliefs.

Using what Salt describes as the “scenical” method, the book avoids dry historical details and focuses on the pivotal moments that shaped Shelley’s life. Salt also critiques the often conflicting accounts provided by Shelley’s contemporaries, such as Hogg and Peacock, applying his own judgment to reveal a more coherent and authentic view of Shelley’s character. This biography provides an accessible and insightful exploration of Shelley’s life and legacy, ideal for readers seeking to understand not just the poet but the man behind the revolutionary ideas.

Content

The Elf-Child
The Education of a Gentleman – at Eton
The Education of a Gentleman – at Oxford
Marriage Without Love
At War With Intolerance
Darkness Before Dawn
Love Without Marriage
Work at Marlow
Wandering in Italy
Life at Pisa
Life at Pisa (continued)
The Storm at Spezzia
“Cor Cordium”
Epilogue
Appendix

What the Critics Said

‘”A thoughtful and really serviceable essay, written from the point of view of intimate sympathy with the poet’s doctrines and personal character.”—Athenæum

“Blasphemous drivel.”—Catholic Paper