1778-1830. English essayist and critic, known
for his invective, scathing irony and gift
for epigram. His critical essays include
Characters of Shakespeare's Plays 1817-18,
Lectures on the English Poets 1818-19,
English Comic Writers 1819, and Dramatic
Literature of the Age of Elizabeth 1820.
Other notable works are Table Talk 1821-22,
The Spirit of the Age 1825, and Liber Amoris
1823.