Horace Walpole: A memoir

This intimate memoir traces the early years of one of England’s most intriguing 18th‑century figures, beginning with the storied lineage of the Walpole family of Houghton. The narrative walks the listener through his birth in 1717, his schooling at Eton and Cambridge, and the colorful anecdotes that surrounded his childhood, including the lingering rumors about his parentage. It also sketches the political backdrop of his father’s rise to power, giving a vivid sense of the world that shaped his upbringing.

As the young Horace steps into adulthood, the book follows his first forays into society, his marriage to Catherine Shorter, and the development of his keen literary tastes. Through letters, verses, and recollections of friends, listeners hear the formation of the man who would later become a prolific writer and a keen observer of his age. The memoir balances scholarly detail with lively storytelling, offering a portrait of a restless intellect navigating the expectations of a prominent family.