Charles Lamb: A Memoir

In this personal memoir, a lifelong acquaintance of the celebrated English humorist shares vivid recollections of his friend’s early years. From a modest upbringing and the loss of his mother to his formative schooling at Christ’s Hospital, the narrative sketches the experiences that forged his tender sensibility and sharp wit. The author also explores the young Lamb’s attraction to classical literature, his devotion to reading, and the gentle nonconformity that colored his character.

The second part opens the doors of Lamb’s vibrant London world, where he moved among figures such as Coleridge, Hazlitt and Hunt while sustaining a modest but beloved routine of evenings spent smoking, reading aloud, and hosting modest gatherings. Through anecdotes about his humor, his affection for neglected objects, and his unassuming kindness, the memoir paints a warm portrait of a man whose modest life was illuminated by a singular literary purpose. Listeners will find an intimate glimpse of a bygone literary circle, rendered with affection and clarity.