author
Barry Cornwall
1787–1874
Best known by the pen name Barry Cornwall, this English Romantic-era poet won readers with graceful, musical verse and moved in the same literary circles as Lamb, Hunt, Browning, and Dickens. His work was widely admired in the 19th century, especially for its songs, dramatic pieces, and warm literary portraits.
1 Audiobook
Charles Lamb: A Memoir
by Barry Cornwall
About the author
Born Bryan Waller Procter in 1787, he wrote under the name Barry Cornwall and became known as an English poet, essayist, and man of letters. He was educated at Harrow, later studied law, and went on to build a public career alongside his literary one.
His poems helped make his reputation during the 19th century, especially lyrical pieces noted for their ease and melody. He also wrote dramatic works and prose, and he is often remembered for his friendships with major literary figures of his time, including Charles Lamb and Leigh Hunt.
Procter lived long enough to be seen as a link to an earlier literary generation, and his recollections of writers and artists added to his standing in Victorian literary life. He died in 1874, leaving behind a body of work closely tied to the spirit of the English Romantic period.