About
Thomas Moore, born in Dublin in 1779, was one of the first Catholics admitted to Trinity College. After studying law in London, he turned to literature. His Irish Melodies (1808–1834), set to music by Sir John Stevenson, were hugely successful and earned him the title of Ireland's national bard. His oriental poem Lalla Rookh (1817) was a bestseller. Exiled in Europe after a defalcation by his deputy, he became Lord Byron's literary executor. He also wrote biographies and satires. He died in 1852 in Wiltshire.
* 1779-05-28 — † 1852-02-25
Major works
- Odes of Anacreon (1800)poetic translation
- Irish Melodies (1808–1834)song collection
- Lalla Rookh (1817)narrative poem
- The Fudge Family in Paris (1818)satire
- Memoirs of the Life of Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1825)biography
Key milestones
- 1794Admitted to Trinity College Dublin, one of the first Catholic students.
- 1819–1822Exiled on the Continent after embezzlement by his deputy.
- 1830Becomes Lord Byron's literary executor and edits his letters and journals.
Themes
Irish nationalismlove and nostalgiaorientalismsocial satireCatholicism and emancipation
Sources: britannica.com · stella.catalogue.tcd.ie · poets.org