His dissolute lifestyle made Lord Byron the leading figure of this young circle of poets. Because of his numerous amorous affairs and an incestuous relationship with his half-sister, he was ostracized by English society. He then moved to Switzerland, where he became close friends with Shelley. Byron's poetry expresses his preference for the satanic as well as for exotic themes. The first two cantos of "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage", published in 1812, made him suddenly famous. The Poet died of fever at the age of 36 while joining the Greek fight for freedom against the Turks. Gröls Classics - English Editionweiterlesen