author
Baron George Lyttelton Lyttelton
1709–1773
An 18th-century British statesman and writer, he moved easily between politics, literature, and the arts. He is remembered not only for public office, but also for supporting writers such as Henry Fielding and James Thomson and for his interest in landscape design.
1 Audiobook
Dialogues of the Dead
by Baron George Lyttelton Lyttelton, Mrs. (Elizabeth) Montagu
About the author
Born on January 17, 1709, at Hagley in Worcestershire, he became George Lyttelton, 1st Baron Lyttelton, and built a reputation as both a Whig politician and a man of letters. He was educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford, and later served in Parliament, eventually becoming Chancellor of the Exchequer in the mid-1750s.
Alongside his political life, he wrote poetry and prose and was known as a patron and friend to literary figures including Henry Fielding and James Thomson. That mix of public service and literary culture helped make him a recognizable figure in 18th-century Britain.
He also played a part in shaping the celebrated grounds at Hagley, reflecting his interest in the arts beyond the printed page. He died at Hagley on August 22, 1773, leaving behind a legacy that connects politics, writing, and cultural patronage.