Percy Shelley: Early Life
Percy Shelley did not just write literature, but was a prime source of inspiration for many famous poets that followed in his footsteps. And yet, he is scarcely remembered today other than by his association with the novelist Mary Shelley. Those that do know of him, also know more of the details surrounding their marriage, and his personal problems. Percy Bysshe Shelley was born on August 4, 1792 and grew up in Horsham, Sussex, England, where most of his early education was administered at home. When he was of age, he went to Eton College, where he tormented on a daily basis by his class mates. Later on, he joined the Oxford University, where although he was not well liked by students or staff, he published his first novel at only 18, titled “Zastrozzi” in 1810. Percy used the novel to give a louder voice to his atheist views of the world, through his villainous character Zastrozzi.
In the same year, he also published a book of poetry with his sister Elizabeth, called “Original Poetry by Victor and Cazire”. He also collected and issued verses called “Posthumous Fragments of Margaret Nicholson”, with his fellow student, and perhaps only friend, Thomas Jefferson Hogg. The next year, he published a pamphlet called “The Necessity of Atheism,” which, later on, was brought to the attention of the university’s administration staff. When he was brought forth before the authority of the university, he refused to repudiate the authorship of the pamphlet, and was thereafter expelled, along with Hogg.
Later on, through the efforts of his father, Percy was allowed to re-enter Oxford but only if he would recant his views as described in the pamphlet to the university’s administration. Percy refused, and was not allowed to return, which also resulted in the loss of his relationship with his father. Hogg implicated later that Percy’s expulsion was politically motivated, as was his death; recently examined published documents admonishing the monarchy seem to indicate the accuracy of the belief.
