Charles Mackay was born in Perth, Scotland, on 27 March 1814, and died in London on 24 December 1889. During a long and unusually various career, he became known as a poet, songwriter, editor, journalist, historian of London, commentator on social life, and author of one of the nineteenth century’s most durable books of cultural psychology, Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds. He was never quite…
“Every age has its peculiar folly—some scheme, project, or fantasy into which it plunges, spurred on either by the love of gain, the necessity of excitement, or the mere force of imitation.”
Neighbourhood:
Folk & Ballad Poets, Social Justice Poets, Victorian Poets
Emotional landscape: Longing, Joy, Peace
Thomas Moore, born in Dublin on 28 May 1779 and dead at Sloperton Cottage, Wiltshire, on 25 February 1852, occupied an unusual and influential place in the literary culture of the nineteenth century. He was at once a poet, lyricist, singer, editor, biographer, satirist, traveller, social performer, and public Irishman in an age when Irish identity could be politically dangerous, commercially useful, emotionally charg…
“Patience must first explore the depths where the pearl lies hid, before Genius boldly dives and brings it up full into light.”
Neighbourhood:
Folk & Ballad Poets, Hymn Writers, Irish Poets, Love Poets, Poet-Musicians, Political Poets
Emotional landscape: Longing, Tenderness, Sorrow