Penulis: Rosa Campbell Praed

George Gordon Byron, better known as Lord Byron (1788-1824), was an iconic British poet and a leading figure in the Romantic movement. His flamboyant lifestyle, marked by scandal and adventure, seemed to mirror the tumultuous and unrestrained spirit of his literary creations. Born in London to a noble family, he became the 6th Baron Byron at the age of ten, following the death of his great-uncle. Byron”s poetic genius unfolded early in his life, with “Childe Harold”s Pilgrimage” underscoring his emergence onto the public stage and endearing him to the literary world. This work, along with the provocative “Don Juan” and the Oriental tales like “The Giaour” and “The Corsair”, cemented Byron”s literary fame. His works are characterized by his passionate and rebellious nature, exploring themes of love, satire, and political commentary with a brilliance of verse and sharp wit. His masterful use of the Spenserian stanza and the ottava rima is evident throughout “The Complete Works of Lord Byron”, which encapsulates his indelible mark on the literary canon. Despite his lasting influence, his life was cut short at the age of 36 when he died in Greece while engaged in the Greek War of Independence. His legacy, however, endures as a symbol of the Romantic hero and as a paragon of poetic excellence.