Edward Bulwer-Lytton (full name Edward George Earle Lytton Bulwer-Lytton) was an English novelist, poet, playwright and politician. He was born into an aristocratic family and had two older brothers. His father died when he was just four years old and the family moved to London, where Bulwer-Lytton was educated by a private tutor. He went on to study at Cambridge University where he received the Chancellor’s Gold Medal, a prestigious poetry award. He married in 1827 against his mother’s wishes and was subsequently forced to work for his living after she withdrew her financial support in protest. However, he went on to inherit her estate, Knebworth House, and was greatly affected by her death in 1843.
Bulwer-Lytton published his first volume of poetry in 1820 and his literary career continued up until his death in 1873. He published a series of novels in a variety of genres, including mystery, historical, romantic, and science fiction. His works were popularly received and several of his novels were made into operas, such as Richard Wagner’s Rienzi, der Letzte der Tribunen. Bulwer-Lytton also wrote several plays, including The Lady of Lyons (1838), Richelieu (1839), and Money (1840).
Bulwer Lytton embarked on his political career in 1831. He became the Member of Parliament for St. Ives, Cornwall and remained in parliament until 1841. He supported the Reform Bill and was created the Baronet of Knebworth House in 1838. He returned to politics in 1852, becoming Secretary of State for the Colonies in 1858, until he was made a peer in the House of Lords in 1866.
Bulwer-Lytton had a tempestuous relationship with his wife, Rosina Doyle Wheeler. The couple had two children but Bulwer-Lytton’s political career and string of infidelities put a huge strain on their marriage. The couple legally separated in 1836 but Rosina went on to publicly denounce and shame her husband when he stood for parliament in Hertfordshire. Bulwer-Lytton had his wife committed to a mental asylum, but she was released after several weeks following a public outcry. She continued to publicly criticize his character for many years.
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