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.

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)

“Shakespeare had no tutors but nature and genius. He caught his faults from the bad taste of his contemporaries. In an age still less civilized Shakespeare might have been wilder, but would not have been vulgar.”
—Horace Walpole (1717–1797)

“[Corneille] was inspired by Roman authors and Roman spirit, Racine with delicacy by the polished court of Louis XIV.”
—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)

“Patty was a modest maid;
Patty was of men afraid:
Patty grew her fears to lose,
And grew so brave, she lost her nose.”
—Horace Walpole (1717–1797)