The Corsair (1814) is a long tale in verse written by Lord Byron and published by John Murray in London. It was extremely popular, selling ten thousand copies on its first day of sale, and was influential throughout the following century, inspiring operas, music and ballet. The 180-page work was dedicated to Irish poet Thomas Moore.
First edition title page
George Gordon Byron, 6th Baron Byron, was a British poet and peer. He is one of the major figures of the Romantic movement, and is regarded as being among the greatest of English poets. Among his best-known works are the lengthy narratives Don Juan and Childe Harold's Pilgrimage; much of his shorter lyrics in Hebrew Melodies also became popular.
Portrait by Thomas Phillips, c. 1813
An engraving of Byron's father, Captain John "Mad Jack" Byron, date unknown
Catherine Gordon, Byron's mother, by Thomas Stewardson
John FitzGibbon, 2nd Earl of Clare