In this book, originally published in 1974, the author argues that Swinburne is due for reappraisal as one of the most important and exciting poets and critics of the nineteenth century. Drawing on Swinburne’s voluminous and uninhibited correspondence, the autobiographical novels and many contemporary memoirs and private journals, the author presents a vivid portrait of Swinburne as man and poet. He discusses the strange charm and complexity of Swinburne’s personality, as revealed in his letters, the beauty of so much of his poetry and the brilliance and wit of his earlier prose. His deep friendships included Rosetti, Whistler, and Richard Burton, the explorer and orientalist. He was also a pioneer in the appreciation of William Blake and the Elizabethan drama, and a champion of contemporary French culture.