Percy Bysshe Shelley Is Cremated
Percy Bysshe Shelley was a prominent English Romantic poet known for his revolutionary ideas and significant contributions to literature. Born on August 4, 1792, in Sussex, England, he led a life marked by controversy, including his expulsion from Oxford for advocating atheism. Among his notable works are "Ozymandias," "To the West Wind," and "Prometheus Unbound," which reflect his imaginative prowess and philosophical insights. Shelley's friendships with other literary figures, such as Lord Byron, deeply influenced his life and work. Tragically, Shelley died on July 8, 1822, during a sailing accident in Italy. His body was recovered ten days later, leading to his cremation on a beach in Viareggio on August 14, 1822. This ceremony was attended by notable contemporaries, including Byron and Leigh Hunt. A poignant moment occurred when Shelley's heart was reportedly retrieved from the flames, later kept by his wife, Mary Shelley, as a cherished remembrance.
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Percy Bysshe Shelley Is Cremated
Percy Bysshe Shelley Is Cremated
Percy Bysshe Shelley, one of the greatest of England's Romantic poets, was cremated on a beach in Viareggio, Italy, on August 14, 1822.
Born on August 4, 1792, in Sussex, England, Shelley led a controversial life as a young man. He was expelled from Oxford University for writing a pamphlet that endorsed atheism, and as a leader in the Romantic movement of poetry he contributed to various revolutionary political causes. His major works of poetry include “Ozymandias” (1818), “To the West Wind” (1819), “The Cloud” (1820), “To a Skylark” (1820), and Prometheus Unbound (1820), a lyric drama depicting the torments and heroism of the rebellious Titan who stole fire from the gods to give to humankind. He also wrote the famous tract Defence of Poetry (1821), in which he proclaims the importance of imaginative works and asserts the moral value of poetry. Shelley also met and befriended another famous poet, George Gordon, Lord Byron. After leaving England in 1818, Shelley and his wife Mary took up residence in Italy on the Bay of Lerici with their friends Jane and Edward Williams. Shelley died on July 8, 1822, after he and Edward Williams were caught in a storm during a sailing trip. Their bodies washed ashore 10 days later at Viareggio, and Shelley was cremated on the beach there on August 14 by his friend E. J. Trelawny as Lord Byron and Leigh Hunt looked on. Before it could be consumed, Shelley's heart was snatched from the fire, possibly by Byron, and eventually it ended up in the possession of Shelley's wife who, according to legend, kept it in a special silk purse.