The Poetical Works of Thomas Chatterton #223868

Thomas Chatterton was born at Bristol on the 2oth of November 1752. His father, a schoolmaster, and a singing-man in Bristol Cathedral, had died some months previous, leaving his widow entirely dependent on her own exertions. Thus the life of the poet began, as it ended, in indigence and misfortune; In his early years Chatterton was dull, and as he grew older mani fested neither desire nor ability to learn. At five years Of age he was sent to the school over which his father had formerly presided but there he made so little pro gress, that in a short time he was handed over to his mother as incapable of acquiring even his letters. His listlessness continued till chance furnished a more agreeable method of mastering the rudiments.