G
eorge Byron
He was the son of Capt. John (“Mad Jack”) Byron and second wife, Catherine Gordon of Gight. His father died in 1791, and Byron, born with a clubfoot, was subjected alternately to the excessive tenderness and violent temper of his mother. In 1798, after years of poverty, Byron succeeded to the title and took up residence at the family seat, New stead Abbey. He subsequently attended Dullish school and Harrow (1801-5) and then matriculated at Trinity College, Cambridge. Although the academic atmosphere did nothing to lessen Byron’s sensitivity about his lameness, he made several close friends while at school. (89-words)