Horace Walpole

Horace Walpole

Horatio Walpole, 4th Earl of Orford (24 September 1717 – 2 March 1797) was an English art historian, man of letters, antiquarian and Whig politician. He is now largely remembered for Strawberry Hill, the home he built in Twickenham, south-west London where he revived the Gothic style some decades before his Victorian successors, and for his Gothic novel, The Castle of Otranto. Along with the book, his literary reputation rests on his Letters, which are of significant social and political interest. He was the son of Sir Robert Walpole, and cousin of the 1st Viscount Nelson.

Read more about Horace Walpole:  Early Life: 1717–1739, Grand Tour: 1739–1741, Early Parliamentary Career: 1741–1754, Strawberry Hill, Later Parliamentary Career: 1754–1768, Later Life: 1768–1788, Last Years: 1788–1797, Writings, Formal Styles From Birth To Death

Famous quotes by horace walpole:

    “‘In short, Isabella, since I cannot give you my son, I offer you myself.’ -- ‘Heavens!’ cried Isabella ... ‘what do I hear! You, my lord! You! my father in law! the father of Conrad! the husband of the virtuous and tender Hippolita!’ -- ‘I tell you,’ said Manfred imperiously, ‘Hippolita is no longer my wife; I divorce her from this hour.’”
    —Horace Walpole (1717–1797)

    “Cunning is neither the consequence of sense, nor does it give sense. A proof that it is not sense, is that cunning people never imagine that others can see through them. It is the consequence of weakness.”
    —Horace Walpole (1717–1797)

    “An ancient prophecy ... pronounced, That the castle and lordship of Otranto should pass from the present family, whenever the real owner should be grown too large to inhabit it!”
    —Horace Walpole (1717–1797)

    “When Shakespeare copied chroniclers verbatim, it was because he knew they were good enough for his audiences. In a more polished age he who could so move our passions, could surely have performed the easier task of satisfying our taste.”
    —Horace Walpole (1717–1797)

    “The world is a comedy to those that think, a tragedy to those who feel.”
    —Horace Walpole (1717–1797)