Another Regency Personality, Angelyn comes through again, and well worth checking out.
Matthew Gregory Lewis
July 9th 1775 to May 14 1818
(I think there is a trend that all Regency Poets must succumb at an early age and most politicians go on into their dotage)
Many readers of Regency-era literature recognize the name “Monk” Lewis.
But who the devil was the fellow?
Matthew Gregory Lewis (1775 – 1818) was the son of a wealthy Jamaican planter. His mother ran off with the music teacher when her son was six. He later supported her financially and socially, and then she became lady-in-waiting to the Princess of Wales.
His success was almost entirely dependent on his classic tale of The Monk. This was the Gothic poem of a holy man’s descent into depraved evil.
She sealed his lips with a wanton kiss;
‘Though I forgive your breaking your vows to heaven,
I expect you to keep your vows to me.’
It was an astonishing success, all the more so because the author was not of age. The first edition was followed by a second and third. The most objectionable passages were edited out for having caused much grief to…
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