Percy Bysshe Shelley

The biography traces the poet’s life from birth and childhood through schooling at Eton and Oxford, early London years and first marriage, separation from his first wife, residence at Marlow, travels and extended stays in Italy (notably Pisa), and final days. It combines biographical narrative with readings of his verse and prose while analysing his persistent antagonism to social and religious conventions, his radical political and metaphysical beliefs, and the idealism that inspired both creative brilliance and imprudent excess. The author assesses how experience tempered early extremes, and concludes with an epilogue and a bibliography of authorities and editions consulted.