George Gordon Byron, 6th Baron Byron, (Greek: Λόρδος Βύρωνας, romanized: Lórdos Výronas; 22 January 1788 – 19 April 1824), simply known as Lord Byron, was an English poet and peer. One of the leading figures of the Romantic movement, Byron is regarded as one of the greatest English poets. He remains widely read and influential. Among his best-known works are the lengthy narrative poems Don Juan and Childe Harold's Pilgrimage; many of his shorter lyrics in Hebrew Melodies also became popular.
He travelled extensively across Europe, especially in Italy, where he lived for seven years in the cities of Venice, Ravenna, and Pisa. During his stay in Italy he frequently visited his friend and fellow poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. Later in life Byron joined the Greek War of Independence fighting the Ottoman Empire and died leading a campaign during that war, for which Greeks revere him as a folk hero. He died in 1824 at the age of 36 from a fever contracted after the First and Second Siege of Missolonghi.
His only legitimate child, Ada Lovelace, is regarded as a founding figure in the field of computer programming based on her notes for Charles Babbage's Analytical Engine. Byron's extramarital children include Allegra Byron, who died in childhood, and possibly Elizabeth Medora Leigh, daughter of his half-sister Augusta Leigh.
1812Feb, 27
Poet Lord Byron gives his first address as a member of the House of Lords, in defense of Luddite violence against Industrialism in his home county of Nottinghamshire.
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Events on 1812
- 27Feb
Manuel Belgrano
Argentine War of Independence: Manuel Belgrano raises the Flag of Argentina in the city of Rosario for the first time. - 26Mar
Gerrymander
A political cartoon in the Boston Gazette coins the term "gerrymander" to describe oddly shaped electoral districts designed to help incumbents win reelection. - 24Jun
French invasion of Russia
Napoleonic Wars: Napoleon's Grande Armée crosses the Neman river beginning the invasion of Russia. - 12Jul
Upper Canada
The American Army of the Northwest briefly occupies the Upper Canadian settlement at what is now at Windsor, Ontario. - 7Sep
Battle of Borodino
French invasion of Russia: The Battle of Borodino, the bloodiest battle of the Napoleonic Wars, was fought near Moscow and resulted in a French victory.