Thomas Croomby Shelly (1790 - 1838) was a British poet, novelist, and dramatist who was a major figure in Romanticism and particularly renowned as the author of Prometheus Unbound, which, along with its predecessor, Prometheus Bound, is considered one of his most significant works. His earlier work, Albion and Florence, was less enthusiastically received and has been all but forgotten.
Shelly was born in Sussex County, England, in 1790, the eldest child of seven. He came from an aristocratic family, his father was a successful country gentleman and the younger Shelly was sent away to a series of schools, including Eton and Oxford, where he studied to become an Anglican priest. His writing career began at the age of sixteen.
His first wife, Harriet, bore him four children, but sadly committed suicide in 1816. This led to his exile from England and after his move to Italy, he remarried Mary, who wrote Frankenstein.
The couple moved around the area, relying heavily on the hospitality of their friends, a group called the Shelley Circle. It was here that Shelly wrote some of his most poignant work. He published several books throughout his career, including the enduringly popular Prometheus Unbound.
While living in Rome, Shelly wrote his masterpiece, Adonais, which is an elegy mourning the death of his friend John Keats. It reflects the Romantic eras desire to find beauty in nature and death and Shellys keen understanding of the present. This poetic success not only earned him critical acclaim, but also the admiration of many admirers, particularly those of his own circle.
The most famous of his works, The Revolt of Islam, was his political epic, focused on the wrongdoings of the ruling class and their oppressive nature which drove Shelly to further comment on the society. The Revolt of Islam is the last poem Shelly wrote before his death in 1822.
Throughout his life, Shelly wrote intently on topics of injustice, politics and personal feelings. His works expounded on the idea of nihilism and pantheism which helped shape the Romantic movement. His writing style is described as inspiring, poetic, and metrical and his works are seen as exemplifying the ideals of Romanticism.
Although his life and works were both based in the Romantic Era, his work stands out from the other writing of the time due to its unique perspective and incisive style. He was a pioneer of the romantic movement who, against all odds and the sturdy views of the society of his time, was able to express his thoughts and provide an outlet for the notion of following ones own heart and opinions.
Shelly will be remembered as one of the most talented and influential English poets of all time. His penmanship has been read and re-read by scholars and fans alike over the centuries and his works continue to inspire to this day. His message of free-thinking, free will and the power of change is something that still captivates todays audiences and will surely remain a part of our culture for many years to come.
