Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822) was a seminal English Romantic poet renowned for his radical ideas and lyrical mastery. His works, including “Ozymandias” and “Prometheus Unbound,” continue to influence literature and thought.
Biography
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Percy Bysshe Shelley |
| Birth Date | 4 August 1792 |
| Death Date | 8 July 1822 |
| Nationality | English |
| Occupation | Writer, Poet |
| Literary Movement | Romanticism |
| Notable Works |
|
| Spouse | Mary Shelley (author of Frankenstein) |
| Influence | Robert Browning, Algernon Charles Swinburne, Thomas Hardy, W. B. Yeats |
| Critical Acclaim | Harold Bloom describes him as “a superb craftsman, a lyric poet without rival, and surely one of the most advanced sceptical intellects ever to write a poem.” |
| Life Challenges | Family crises, ill health, backlash against his atheism and political views, self-exile in Italy |
| Death | Died in a boating accident at age 29 |
Early Life
Percy Bysshe Shelley was born on August 4, 1792, in Field Place, Horsham, Sussex, England, into a wealthy and politically connected family. He was the eldest legitimate son of Sir Timothy Shelley, a Member of Parliament, and his wife, Elizabeth Pilfold. Shelley spent his early years at Field Place, where he was raised alongside his siblings in a well-to-do environment. His upbringing was marked by a strong emphasis on education, and he was sent to the prestigious Syon House Academy and later Eton College, where he displayed a keen interest in literature and the sciences. Shelley’s formative years were characterized by his rebellious spirit and his burgeoning interest in radical political and social ideas, which would later come to define his literary career. After Eton, he briefly attended University College, Oxford, but was expelled for distributing a pamphlet promoting atheism. This expulsion marked a significant turning point in his life, leading him to move away from his family’s expectations and to pursue a life dedicated to poetry and revolutionary ideals.
Family
| Relation | Name | Information |
|---|---|---|
| Father | Sir Timothy Shelley | Sir Timothy Shelley was a British politician and landowner. He held the title of Baronet and was a Member of Parliament. He was known for his conservative views. |
| Mother | Elizabeth Pilfold | Elizabeth Pilfold was the daughter of a wealthy landowner. She married Sir Timothy Shelley and was known for her nurturing nature and support of her children. |
| Sister | Elizabeth Shelley | Elizabeth Shelley was Percy’s younger sister. There is limited information about her life, but she was part of the Shelley family, which was well-off and influential. |
| Sister | Hellen Shelley | Hellen Shelley was another of Percy’s sisters. Like Elizabeth, not much is widely known about her personal life, but she was part of the same distinguished family. |
| Brother | John Shelley | John Shelley was Percy’s younger brother. He was part of the aristocratic Shelley family and grew up under the same affluent conditions as Percy. |
| Brother | Thomas Shelley | Thomas Shelley was also Percy’s brother. Similar to his siblings, he was raised in a privileged environment and part of the well-known Shelley lineage. |
Height, Weight, And Other Body Measurements
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) |
| Weight | Approximately 154 lbs (70 kg) |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | Brown |
Wife/husband / Girlfriend/boyfriend
Percy Bysshe Shelley, the renowned English Romantic poet, had several significant relationships in his life. Below is a detailed account of his romantic associations.
Percy Bysshe Shelley is not currently alive, having passed away on July 8, 1822. Therefore, he does not have a current relationship status. However, his most notable marriage was to Mary Shelley.
Mary Shelley
Mary Shelley was the second wife of Percy Bysshe Shelley. They married on December 30, 1816. Mary Shelley is best known as the author of “Frankenstein” and was a significant intellectual partner to Percy. She played a crucial role in editing and promoting his works after his death.
| Name | Relationship Type | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Harriet Westbrook | First Wife | Percy Bysshe Shelley married Harriet Westbrook in 1811. They had two children together, but their relationship deteriorated, leading to separation. Harriet tragically committed suicide in 1816. |
| Mary Shelley | Second Wife | Percy married Mary Shelley, née Godwin, on December 30, 1816. They had a profound intellectual and emotional connection, and Mary was instrumental in preserving and promoting Percy’s literary legacy. |
| Elizabeth Hitchener | Close Friend | Although not a romantic relationship, Elizabeth Hitchener was a close friend and confidante to Percy. Their correspondence reflects a deep intellectual bond. |
| Claire Clairmont | Romantic Interest | Claire Clairmont, Mary Shelley’s stepsister, was also romantically involved with Percy for a brief period. Their relationship was complex and intertwined with Percy’s marriage to Mary. |
Percy Bysshe Shelley had a tumultuous love life with several significant relationships that influenced his life and work. His first marriage to Harriet Westbrook ended tragically, while his second marriage to Mary Shelley was marked by intellectual partnership and mutual support. Additionally, his interactions with friends and romantic interests like Elizabeth Hitchener and Claire Clairmont further shaped his personal and literary journey.
Career, Achievements And Controversies
Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822) was an English Romantic poet renowned for his lyric poetry, imaginative and radical themes, and his association with other Romantic figures such as Lord Byron and John Keats. Shelley’s career was marked by his passionate idealism and his pursuit of social and political reform.
How He Became Famous
Shelley became famous largely posthumously. During his lifetime, his radical views and tumultuous personal life overshadowed his literary achievements. However, his works gained significant recognition and influence in the years following his death, establishing him as one of the key figures in English literature.
How The Career Started
Shelley’s literary career began in earnest while he was at Eton College and later at Oxford University. His first major work, a Gothic novel titled “Zastrozzi,” was published in 1810. His expulsion from Oxford in 1811 for distributing a pamphlet titled “The Necessity of Atheism” marked the beginning of his tumultuous career. Shelley’s early works, including “Queen Mab” (1813), showcased his revolutionary ideas and disdain for societal norms.
Popular Works
- Queen Mab (1813)
- Alastor, or The Spirit of Solitude (1816)
- Laon and Cythna (1817)
- Ozymandias (1818)
- Prometheus Unbound (1820)
- Adonais (1821)
- The Cenci (1819)
- Epipsychidion (1821)
- Hellas (1821)
Despite his relatively short life, Shelley’s work has had a lasting impact on literature and continues to be studied and admired for its lyrical beauty, imaginative scope, and profound philosophical insights. Although he did not receive formal awards during his lifetime, his legacy endures through the influence he has had on subsequent generations of poets and writers.
Shelley’s life was fraught with controversy, much of which stemmed from his radical political and religious views, as well as his personal relationships.
Major Controversies
- The Necessity of Atheism: Shelley’s pamphlet advocating atheism led to his expulsion from Oxford University, creating a scandal that haunted him throughout his life.
- Marriage and Relationships: Shelley’s first marriage to Harriet Westbrook ended in separation. His subsequent relationship with Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin (later Mary Shelley, author of “Frankenstein”) began while Harriet was still alive, which caused significant scandal. Harriet’s later suicide further complicated Shelley’s reputation.
- Political and Social Views: Shelley’s outspoken support for social justice, including the rights of the oppressed and his critiques of institutional religion and government, made him a controversial figure in conservative circles.
- Exile and Financial Troubles: Shelley’s radicalism and personal circumstances led to financial instability and necessitated periods of self-imposed exile in Europe, particularly in Italy where he spent the final years of his life.
Shelley’s life and works continue to be a subject of fascination, both for their artistic merit and their reflection of the complex and often tumultuous era in which he lived.
Faq
Who Was Percy Bysshe Shelley?
Percy Bysshe Shelley was an English Romantic poet, widely regarded as one of the most influential poets of the 19th century. He was born on August 4, 1792, and died on July 8, 1822. Shelley is known for his radical and progressive views, as well as his lyrical and evocative poetry.
What Are Some Of Percy Bysshe Shelley’s Most Famous Works?
Some of Shelley’s most famous works include “Ozymandias,” “Ode to the West Wind,” “To a Skylark,” “Prometheus Unbound,” and “Adonais.” These works are celebrated for their imaginative power, emotional depth, and social and political commentary.
What Themes Are Commonly Found In Shelley’s Poetry?
Shelley’s poetry often explores themes such as the power of nature, the fleeting nature of human life, the pursuit of idealism and justice, and the potential for human transformation. His work frequently reflects his revolutionary beliefs and his desire for social and political change.
How Did Percy Bysshe Shelley Influence Literature?
Shelley’s innovative use of language, his bold ideas, and his lyrical style have had a lasting impact on literature. He inspired future generations of poets and writers, including the likes of Robert Browning, Alfred Lord Tennyson, and even modernist poets like T.S. Eliot. Shelley’s emphasis on individualism and personal freedom continues to resonate in contemporary literature.
What Was Shelley’s Personal Life Like?
Shelley’s personal life was marked by controversy and tragedy. He eloped with Harriet Westbrook at a young age and later left her for Mary Godwin, who became Mary Shelley, the author of “Frankenstein.” Shelley’s unconventional lifestyle, outspoken atheism, and political radicalism often put him at odds with societal norms. He died at the age of 29 in a boating accident in Italy.
Why Is Percy Bysshe Shelley Considered A Key Figure In The Romantic Movement?
Shelley is considered a key figure in the Romantic movement because of his passionate advocacy for individual liberty, his emphasis on emotion and imagination, and his rejection of established social and political norms. His poetry often celebrates the beauty and power of nature, and his visionary ideas continue to influence Romantic and post-Romantic thought.
