(18) Chapter 9 cont.

Lord Raymond seeks a remedy for what his passions have done to him.

from Thomas Phillips, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Incredibly, the Albanian dress in which Thomas Phillips painted Lord Byron for his portrait of 1814, survived the centuries in pristine condition—and may have influenced Greek national costume for decades to come. A fascinating story, fully told here.

Lord Byron himself lacked the same staying power. This very entertaining recent article by the director of the Byron Society, exposes the 30-ish poet as something of a human wreck in progress. Like Raymond, he seems to have used the Greek war of independence as an escape from his own moods and behavior.    

Please add your thoughts: