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William Hazlitt: The First Modern Man
Hailed as "excellent" ( Harper's ), "distinctly eye-opening" ( WashingtonPost.com ), and "astonishingly detailed" ( Wall Street Journal ), this marvelous biography draws on over a decade of archival research to explore all aspects of William Hazlitt's life. Duncan Wu examines Hazlitt's early aspirations to become a painter, his engagement with revolutionary politics, his rise to prominence as one of England's greatest literary critics, and the disillusionment and poverty of his final years. Along the way, Wu reveals countless new details concerning Hazlitt's relationships with Wordsworth, Coleridge, Shelley, Keats, William Godwin, J. M. W. Turner, and other important figures of the Romantic era. But Wu sees Hazlitt as an essentially modern writer who took political sketch-writing to a new level, invented sports commentary as we know it, and created the essay-form as it is practiced in our own time. Painstakingly researched and filled with original insight, this biography benefits also
from Wu's New Writings of William Hazlitt , many of which make their appearance here, illuminating obscure passages of Hazlitt's life.
from Wu's New Writings of William Hazlitt , many of which make their appearance here, illuminating obscure passages of Hazlitt's life.
557 pages, Paperback
First published October 23, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 5, 2021
Since Hazlitt loved to quote Shakespeare so much, I'll freely adapt his words to suit Hazlitt: "Only he stayed true to his principles, while most of the other Romantics betrayed their progressive roots."
Any reader who loves the Romantics as I do has read nearly all of the most recent biographies of the major figures: Wordsworth, Coleridge, Byron, the Shelleys, Keats, and perhaps even Lamb and de Quincey. Whenever one reads these books, William Hazlitt lurks in the shadows as a critic and a casual acquaintance. Even more frequently, because the focus of the biographer is a figure other than Hazlitt, their sympathies inevitably align with the caustic comments all of these figures had for Hazlitt.
Hazlitt was a critic. He called nearly all of these poets out at one time or another except for Keats (they adored each other - which could be a great subject for a dual biography). Mainly, Hazlitt did not suffer hypocrisy lightly. He blasted Wordsworth for his egotism, his self absorption, and his betrayal of his support of the French Revolution's overthrow of monarchy in order to write insipid poetry for profit and royalty after his fame. Coleridge seemed to betray his radicalism as well, and Hazlitt blasted him for his opium addiction publicly. Byron wore his nobility publicly, and Hazlitt could not abide it or aristocracy - though he did admire his heroic death. He found Percy Shelley full of radical ideas and writings, but without the conviction to follow through on the ideas with actions, and therefore in his opinion worthless for future generations.
He openly frequented houses of prostitution, not because he was exploiting these women, but because he was unable to control his physical attraction for women. He admired the female form and had to express it. Indeed, he was completely destroyed emotionally and as a result physically because of the pernicious and manipulative nature of a woman who used her flirtatious personality and her body to exploit men. She knew Hazlitt wanted her, and continued to torment him in order to exploit him. Because of this, Hazlitt was ruined emotionally - and she wasn't even a prostitute but a fellow lodger.
Not only that, Hazlitt was FAR ahead of his time. His criticism of society, politics, the arts, culture, and most especially the basic conservatism of England made him highly unpopular. His hero was Napoleon, not a popular standpoint to take (remember that Napoleon was at his best an expander of liberal rights and a destroyer of monarchs - but the devil to Britain). As a result, Hazlitt's reputation has always suffered, to this day. And yet, Duncan Wu's masterful biography, one of the best I have read in quite some time, places Hazlitt where he belongs: squarely in the center of the progressive nature of Romanticism. Romanticism led to modernism (eventually) and Wu connects the dots. Only Hazlitt was able to envision a world where monarchies were ultimately marginalized, personal rights were expanded, the poor had more resources and social safety nets rather than punishments, and the mind and its ideas are the most powerful forces in society. While his personal relationships were tempestuous, his career was powerful and permanently pervasive, even though it took a century for that to become apparent. Essential reading for those who are obsessed with Romanticism and literary thought. And although it is exceptionally well done academically (including new material discovered by the author for the book), it is a pleasurable read and ride through the mind of an eternal thinker. It is compulsive reading and just the right length (438 pages) and amply illustrated. Next time I'm in Soho London, I need to pay my respects to his newly restored grave. Hazlitt and Wu deserve our respect.
Any reader who loves the Romantics as I do has read nearly all of the most recent biographies of the major figures: Wordsworth, Coleridge, Byron, the Shelleys, Keats, and perhaps even Lamb and de Quincey. Whenever one reads these books, William Hazlitt lurks in the shadows as a critic and a casual acquaintance. Even more frequently, because the focus of the biographer is a figure other than Hazlitt, their sympathies inevitably align with the caustic comments all of these figures had for Hazlitt.
Hazlitt was a critic. He called nearly all of these poets out at one time or another except for Keats (they adored each other - which could be a great subject for a dual biography). Mainly, Hazlitt did not suffer hypocrisy lightly. He blasted Wordsworth for his egotism, his self absorption, and his betrayal of his support of the French Revolution's overthrow of monarchy in order to write insipid poetry for profit and royalty after his fame. Coleridge seemed to betray his radicalism as well, and Hazlitt blasted him for his opium addiction publicly. Byron wore his nobility publicly, and Hazlitt could not abide it or aristocracy - though he did admire his heroic death. He found Percy Shelley full of radical ideas and writings, but without the conviction to follow through on the ideas with actions, and therefore in his opinion worthless for future generations.
He openly frequented houses of prostitution, not because he was exploiting these women, but because he was unable to control his physical attraction for women. He admired the female form and had to express it. Indeed, he was completely destroyed emotionally and as a result physically because of the pernicious and manipulative nature of a woman who used her flirtatious personality and her body to exploit men. She knew Hazlitt wanted her, and continued to torment him in order to exploit him. Because of this, Hazlitt was ruined emotionally - and she wasn't even a prostitute but a fellow lodger.
Not only that, Hazlitt was FAR ahead of his time. His criticism of society, politics, the arts, culture, and most especially the basic conservatism of England made him highly unpopular. His hero was Napoleon, not a popular standpoint to take (remember that Napoleon was at his best an expander of liberal rights and a destroyer of monarchs - but the devil to Britain). As a result, Hazlitt's reputation has always suffered, to this day. And yet, Duncan Wu's masterful biography, one of the best I have read in quite some time, places Hazlitt where he belongs: squarely in the center of the progressive nature of Romanticism. Romanticism led to modernism (eventually) and Wu connects the dots. Only Hazlitt was able to envision a world where monarchies were ultimately marginalized, personal rights were expanded, the poor had more resources and social safety nets rather than punishments, and the mind and its ideas are the most powerful forces in society. While his personal relationships were tempestuous, his career was powerful and permanently pervasive, even though it took a century for that to become apparent. Essential reading for those who are obsessed with Romanticism and literary thought. And although it is exceptionally well done academically (including new material discovered by the author for the book), it is a pleasurable read and ride through the mind of an eternal thinker. It is compulsive reading and just the right length (438 pages) and amply illustrated. Next time I'm in Soho London, I need to pay my respects to his newly restored grave. Hazlitt and Wu deserve our respect.
January 28, 2018
Hearing the name batted around in biographies of his contemporaries I decided to find out just who William Hazlitt was. My search to find a biography led me to Duncan Wu's marvelous book. Hazlitt was by no means an easy subject. The man was as complex as the turbulent times that surrounded him and that's what made him remarkable. Hazlitt was a man who stood his ground and apologized to no one for the things he wrote which seemed at odds with his shyness and initial all-consuming fear of public speaking. Hazlitt was a pragmatic man except when it came to women and money, never finding felicity in either.
Duncan Wu has written a well researched and fair biography, giving Hazlitt praise without being blind to his faults (of which there were many). It's unfortunate that Hazlitt's works are not given the same esteem as some of his contemporaries and his name remains unfamiliar to many. Hazlitt's writing might not be everyone's cup of tea, (which Hazlitt drank copious amounts), but anyone with an interest in the Romantics should read Wu's book as it offers a different perspective on many of the well-known writers of the time.
Hazlitt was a man who was either loved or loathed, but his contribution to the art, literature, and politics of the Romantic period make him an integral part, one that must not be overlooked.
Duncan Wu has written a well researched and fair biography, giving Hazlitt praise without being blind to his faults (of which there were many). It's unfortunate that Hazlitt's works are not given the same esteem as some of his contemporaries and his name remains unfamiliar to many. Hazlitt's writing might not be everyone's cup of tea, (which Hazlitt drank copious amounts), but anyone with an interest in the Romantics should read Wu's book as it offers a different perspective on many of the well-known writers of the time.
Hazlitt was a man who was either loved or loathed, but his contribution to the art, literature, and politics of the Romantic period make him an integral part, one that must not be overlooked.
August 24, 2022
Wonderful biography of fascinating writer, essayist, and man.
June 18, 2015
One of the finest writers to grace the English language, Hazlitt produced excellent works of journalism, criticism and political commentary. A lifelong opponent of tyranny and a political radical he was a difficult man who made a many enemies being especially hard on former fellow radicals such as Coleridge, Wordsworth and Southey who abandoned their principles and became staunch supporters of the establishment and the monarchy. He also estranged quite a few of his friends by reviewing their work candidly and on occasion witheringly.
I really enjoyed Duncan Wu's thoroughly researched and well written book. My only criticism is that I think he is a little too forgiving of some of Hazlitt's less appealing character traits and is not an entirely unbiased chronicler of his life and work.
I really enjoyed Duncan Wu's thoroughly researched and well written book. My only criticism is that I think he is a little too forgiving of some of Hazlitt's less appealing character traits and is not an entirely unbiased chronicler of his life and work.
January 20, 2009
It seems a shame I've taken so long to get acquainted with Hazlitt. Now I'll have to go find a good collection of his essays. This is a fine and very accessible scholarly biography.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews