William Hazlitt

Date of Birth: April 10, 1778

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: September 18, 1830

Biography

William Hazlitt was a renowned English essayist, literary critic, and social commentator, born on April 10, 1778. He is best known for his humanistic essays and literary criticism, which had a profound influence on the Romantic era. Hazlitt was the son of an Irish Unitarian minister and grew up in a stimulating intellectual environment. He initially pursued a career in painting but eventually found his true calling in writing. His works often explored the complexities of human emotion, the nature of genius, and the intricacies of art and literature. Hazlitt’s sharp, insightful prose earned him a reputation as one of the greatest critics of his time. He was a contemporary and friend of prominent figures like Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Wordsworth, though he often critiqued their works with an unflinching honesty.

5 Interesting Facts about William Hazlitt

1. William Hazlitt’s father was a Unitarian minister who emigrated from Ireland to the United States before settling in England.

2. Hazlitt initially studied to become a painter and attended the Royal Academy in London.

3. He is famous for his collections of essays, such as “Table-Talk” and “The Spirit of the Age.”

4. Hazlitt was a close friend of Charles Lamb and often contributed to Lamb’s periodical, “The London Magazine.”

5. He had a tumultuous personal life, including a scandalous divorce and a controversial love affair with his landlady’s daughter.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from William Hazlitt

1. “The art of conversation is the art of hearing as well as of being heard.”

2. “The love of liberty is the love of others; the love of power is the love of ourselves.”

3. “Man is the only animal that laughs and weeps; for he is the only animal that is struck with the difference between what things are and what they ought to be.”

4. “Prejudice is the child of ignorance.”

5. “Books let us into their souls and lay open to us the secrets of our own.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

William Hazlitt’s highest net worth is not well-documented, but as a critic and essayist in the 19th century, it is unlikely that he amassed significant wealth.

Children

William Hazlitt had one son, also named William Hazlitt (1811-1893), who followed in his father’s literary footsteps and became a writer and barrister.