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George Borrow

I lived from 1803-1881. I was from England, and am in the English category.

George Henry Borrow (1803-1881) was an English author who wrote novels and travelogues based on his own experiences around Europe. Over the course of his wanderings, he developed a close affinity with the Gypsy nomads of Europe, and they figure prominently in his work. His best known book, Lavengro, is largely autobiographical.

Borrow was born at East Dereham, Norfolk, the son of a recruiting officer, and had a somewhat wandering childhood. He was educated at Norwich grammar school as well as the Edinburgh High School. He studied law, but languages and literature became his main interests. In 1825, he began his first major European journey, walking in France and Germany. Over the next few years he visited Russia, Portugal, Spain and Morocco, acquainting himself with the people and languages of the various countries he visited. After his marriage in 1840, he settled near Lowestoft, but continued to travel both inside and outside the UK.

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  • The Death-Raven (From The Danish Of Oehlenslaeger)
    The silken sail, which caught the summer breeze,
    Drove the light vessel through the azure seas;
    427 lines
  • Svend Vonved
    Svend Vonved sits in his lonely bower;
    He strikes his harp with a hand of power;
    350 lines
  • Sir Middel
    So tightly was Swanelil lacing her vest,
    That forth spouted milk, from each lily-white breast;
    68 lines
  • Sir John
    Sir Lave to the island stray'd;
    He wedded there a lovely maid:
    51 lines
  • The Heddybee Spectre
    I clomb in haste my dappled steed,
    And gallop'd far o'er mount and mead;
    40 lines
  • Fridleif and Helga
    The woods were in leaf, and they cast a sweet shade;
    Among them walk'd Helga, the beautiful maid.
    88 lines
  • Glee
    Roseate colours on heaven’s high arch
      Are beginning to mix with the blue and the gray,
    26 lines, 1 comment
  • Elvir-Shades
    A sultry eve pursu'd a sultry day;
    Dark streaks of purple in the sky were seen,
    78 lines
  • The Broken Harp
    O thou, who, ’mid the forest trees,
      With thy harmonious trembling strain,
    18 lines
  • The Deceived Merman (From The Old Danish)
    Fair Agnes alone on the sea-shore stood,
    Then rose a Merman from out the flood:
    73 lines
1 - 10 of 39  Show all by written, popularity, title, first line

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