Byron

The English Romantic poet who joined the Greek War of Independence and died of illness at Missolonghi.

Life

Romantic poet

Byron was an English Romantic poet famous across Europe for Childe Harold's Pilgrimage and Don Juan. As a young man he traveled in Greece and wrote lines such as "I dream'd that Greece might still be free."

Travels in Greece

In 1823 he sold off his property and went to Greece with funds to support the War of Independence, organizing troops at Missolonghi and financing the Greek navy.

Missolonghi

In April 1824 he caught a fever at Missolonghi and died, aged just 36. His death aroused widespread sympathy in Europe for the cause of Greek independence.

Legacy

Byron is regarded by Greeks as a national hero, and a district of Athens is named Vyronas after him.

Major works & achievements

• Childe Harold's Pilgrimage
• Don Juan

Did you know? His heart is said to have been left in Missolonghi, while his body was carried back to England.

Key dates

• 1809First travels in Greece
• 1812Childe Harold's Pilgrimage is published
• 1819Began publishing Don Juan
• 1823Went to fight in Greece
• 1824Died of illness at Missolonghi