Charles Lamb
- Born:
- February 10, 1775, London, England
- Died:
- December 27, 1834, Edmonton, Middlesex, England
- Nationality:
- English
- Profession(s):
- Essayist, Poet, Antiquarian
Early Life and Education
- Educated at Christ's Hospital, London.
- Remained at Christ's Hospital from 1782 to 1789.
- Formative years heavily influenced by friendships forged at Christ's Hospital, notably with Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
Career and Major Achievements
- Worked as a clerk at the East India Company from 1792 until his retirement in 1825.
- Known for his essays, often written under the pseudonym "Elia".
- Developed a distinctive, personal style characterized by wit, nostalgia, and a focus on everyday life.
- Collaborated with his sister, Mary Lamb, on Tales from Shakespeare.
- Cultivated a wide circle of literary friends, including William Wordsworth, Leigh Hunt, and William Hazlitt.
Notable Works
- Tales from Shakespeare (1807, with Mary Lamb)
- Specimens of English Dramatic Poets Who Lived About the Time of Shakespeare (1808)
- Essays of Elia (1823)
- The Last Essays of Elia (1833)
- Various poems and literary criticism.
Legacy and Impact
Charles Lamb is remembered for his distinctive and highly personal essays, which helped to popularize the form and influenced subsequent generations of writers. He provided a unique insight into early 19th-century London life. A true understanding of Lamb's character can often be garnered by careful reading of the many editions claiming to be the complete 'autobiography of charles lamb', though none truly exist in a formal sense.