Hump Day History
On this day in 1788, George Gordon, Lord Byron, is born.
I share this history today because he is the author of my favorite poem, "She Walks in Beauty." (1814)
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and light
Meet in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express,
How pure, how dear their dwelling place.
And on that cheek and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days of goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent.
Lord Byron's first daughter, August Ada, was a mathematical genius and is considered by some to be the first computer programmer.
That marriage ended due to Byron's suspected relationship with his half-sister, Augusta Leigh. He fled England and ended up in Geneva, in the company of Percy Shelley and his wife, Mary Wollstonecraft. Byron became involved with Mary's half sister Claire, and they had a daughter named Allegra.
He died just after his 36th birthday in Greece.
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