Lord Byron

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Mentioned as the work in which Byron gives a portrait of his half-sister Augusta as a slave girl named Dudu in a harem in Constantinople, describing her as 'a kind of sleepy Venus, somewhat large and languishing and lazy, yet of a beauty that would drive you crazy.' Reveals how Byron transmuted his most scandalous relationship into literature.

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Discussed as poems Byron wrote during his marriage, commissioned by Jewish composer Isaac Nathan to set to music based on the Old Testament. The hosts describe these as 'some of Byron's most beautiful poetry,' quoting from 'The Destruction of Sennacherib' ('The Assyrian came down like a wolf on the fold'). Lady Byron helped copy these out, representing a rare moment of domestic harmony.

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Central to the episode's narrative, this is the poem that made Byron an overnight celebrity in 1812. Described as 'arguably the first such hit in literary history,' it launched Byron's fame and fan culture. Caroline Lamb reads it and is 'swept away by it,' writing Byron a fan letter. Essential reading for understanding the birth of literary celebrity.

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Referenced in discussion of Byron writing about Cicero and quoting a letter from Servius Salpicius, connecting ancient Roman tourism to the Grand Tour era

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Mentioned as a work published by John Murray, described as 'a great poetic account of a doomed romantic figure crossing a Europe of ruins and romantic bandits.'

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Discussed extensively as Byron's poem about his travels abroad, described as 'the best-selling poem ever in English publishing, British publishing history'

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Mentioned in the context of discussing Shamash Shuma Ukin, who supposedly threw himself into flames when his palace was set on fire. Tom notes that 'Byron writes a play about him' - referring to Byron's 1821 tragedy about the legendary Assyrian king Sardanapalus.

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Referenced when discussing Ivan Mazepa, the Cossack leader - Tom mentions that Byron wrote 'an entire poem about him' set in the aftermath of the Battle of Poltava