William Hazlitt

William Hazlitt (1778–1830) was a leading English essayist, literary critic, and social commentator of the Romantic era. Born in Maidstone, Kent, he was the son of a Unitarian minister and grew up in Ireland and America before settling in London. Initially aspiring to be a painter, Hazlitt turned to writing and became a prolific contributor to periodicals such as the Edinburgh Review and The Examiner. His major works include Characters of Shakespear's Plays (1817), Lectures on the English Poets (1818), and the essay collection Table-Talk (1821–1822). Hazlitt is celebrated for his vigorous, personal style and his ability to blend literary criticism with philosophical insight. His essays on art, drama, and human nature are noted for their psychological depth and moral seriousness. Despite personal controversies, his literary legacy endures as a master of the familiar essay and a key figure in the development of modern criticism.