Chatterton - A Biography

The story revolves around Thomas Chatterton, an exceptionally talented 11-year-old poet who, in 1763, deceived the literary elite by attributing his works to a fictional 15th-century poet. Raised in poverty and driven by ambition, he sought recognition in London but ultimately faced despair and took his own life at seventeen. His legacy influenced major Romantic figures like Coleridge and Wordsworth. This biography by David Masson, originally published in 1857, explores Chatterton's life and impact, supplemented by a new biography by George Gregory Smith.