Presbyterian College - Pac Sac Yearbook (Clinton, SC)

Page 12 text:

I N using the life and works of Lord Byron as the theme of this book, we endeavor to show our appreciation of a charac- ter perhaps unique in the history of English Literature. Marked by unusual physical charm, high spirited, tender hearted, but embittered by an unhappy childhood and severe criticism of his early literary efforts, he became a virtual exile from his native land. But neither slanderous tongues nor political prejudice could dim the fire of genius and the creator of Childe Harold and Don Juan holds his place among the greatest of English poets. Admirably exemplifying the spirit of a rebellious age, Byron was quick to recognize the fallacies of the social structure of his time, as many of his works show ; but his dogmatic as- sertion of his own convictions, together with his indifference to public opinion, particularly in regard to his personal af- fairs, won for him the enmity of many of his contemporaries. His love of liberty was a ruling passion, and he went to his death fighting for Greece ' s freedom with the same wild, im- perious, impassioned zeal which characterized his life. In working out this theme, we hope to blot out some of the spots which have darkened the fair name of Byron, and thus do honor to him whose genius has brought joy to all who love good literature. Thou art gone; And he who would assail thee in thy grave, Oh ! let him pause ! for who among us all Tried as thou wert — — ah, who amongst us all Could say he had not err ' d as much and more?

Page 11 text:

(JDr rr of Honks THE COLLEGE ATHLETICS MILITARY SPONSORS ORGANIZATIONS ADVERTISEMENTS

Page 13 text:

rrr ct rr rr KT 7n October, iSo$, Byron entered Trinity College, Cam- bridge. He was only seventeen then but had already manifested an ardent desire for learning, having read a great deal of history, biography, theology, fiction, oratory, law, and poetry without limit. Byron graduated from Cambridge in March, 1808. He was not popular at the University and never thought of it with affection. While there, he had published his first volume, HOURS OF IDLENESS. There was nothing particularly tine about the book, but the critics could not forego the opportunity to thrash a Lord, and criticized the young poet ' s first attempts most severely. aty? dnlfrg?