Image of Leigh Hunt

Timeline

Lifetime: 1784 - 1859 Passed: ≈ 165 years ago

Title

Essayist, Poet

Country/Nationality

England
Wikipedia

Leigh Hunt

James Henry Leigh Hunt (19 October 1784 – 28 August 1859), best known as Leigh Hunt, was an English critic, essayist, and poet. He was a central figure of the Romantic movement in England, and he was known for his wit, his intelligence, and his championing of new and innovative writing.

What were Leigh Hunt's principles?

Hunt was a strong believer in the power of literature to change the world for the better. He believed that writers had a responsibility to speak out against injustice and to promote social progress. He was also a believer in the importance of individual freedom and creativity.

What was Leigh Hunt famous for?

Hunt is best known for his essays, which were published in a variety of journals and periodicals throughout his career. His essays were known for their wit, their insight, and their wide range of subjects. He wrote about everything from literature and politics to art and music.

Hunt was also a poet, and he published a number of volumes of poetry throughout his life. His poetry is known for its lyricism, its imagination, and its sense of humor.

What were Leigh Hunt's notable works?

Some of Hunt's notable works include:

  • Essays: The Indicator (1819-1821), The Companion (1828), Men, Women, and Books (1847)
  • Poetry: Juvenilia (1801), The Story of Rimini (1816), Captain Sword and Captain Pen (1835)
  • Other: Imagination and Fancy (1844), a critical work on poetry, and Autobiography (1850)

What was Leigh Hunt's philosophy?

Hunt's philosophy was based on the belief in the power of literature to change the world for the better. He believed that writers had a responsibility to speak out against injustice and to promote social progress. He was also a believer in the importance of individual freedom and creativity.

When did Leigh Hunt die and how is he remembered?

Hunt died on 28 August 1859, at the age of 74. He is remembered as one of the most important and influential figures of the Romantic movement in England. His essays and poems are still read and enjoyed today, and his critical work continues to be influential.

Anything interesting to know about the author?

Hunt was a close friend of many of the leading literary figures of his day, including John Keats, Percy Shelley, and William Wordsworth. He was also a mentor to a number of young writers, including Charles Dickens and Elizabeth Gaskell.

Hunt was a complex and contradictory figure. He was a brilliant writer and a passionate advocate for social justice, but he could also be arrogant and judgmental. He was also a bit of a dandy, and he was known for his love of fashion and good food.

Despite his flaws, Hunt was a significant figure in the history of English literature. His work helped to shape the Romantic movement, and his legacy continues to inspire writers and readers today.

Books by Leigh Hunt

Captain Sword and Captain Pen: A Poem Cover image

Captain Sword and Captain Pen: A Poem

Poetry
War Power Literature Poems Conflict Verses Ambition Peace Sword

Imagine a world where the power of the pen is as mighty as the sword. Captain Sword and Captain Pen is a satirical poem by Leigh Hunt that explores the conflict between the forces of militarism and the forces of literature. The poem is set in a fict...

To a Fish Cover image

To a Fish

Poetry Philosophy
Nature Observation Curiosity Philosophy Fish Wonder Appreciation

LibriVox volunteers bring you 11 recordings of To a Fish by (James) Leigh Hunt. This was the weekly poetry project for the week of October 19th, 2008.

Fish Answers Cover image

Fish Answers

Poetry Humour
Sonnet Verse Epigram Rhyme Ode Metre

LibriVox volunteers bring you 8 recordings of A Fish Answers by James Leigh Hunt. This was the weekly poetry project for the week of October 26th, 2008.

Story of Rimini Cover image

Story of Rimini

Poetry Romance Drama
Love Prison Tragedy Passion Betrayal Adultery Emotional Evocative Inferno Dante Slander Poetic

The Story of Rimini is a long poem by Leigh Hunt that tells the tragic story of Francesca da Rimini, the duped and adulterous bride, inspired by the character in Dante's Inferno. Published in 1816 and dedicated to Lord Byron, it is considered the pin...

Night-Rain in Summer Cover image

Night-Rain in Summer

Essays
Literary Criticism English literature Essays Romantic Movement

"Night-Rain in Summer" is a collection of essays by Leigh Hunt, an English writer and critic. The essays cover a wide range of topics, including literature, art, music, and nature. Hunt's writing is known for its wit, charm, and elegance.