'In Seaham village lived a poet, "an unfortunate child of Genius," -- one Joseph Blacket, a cobbler's son, whom [Anne Isabella Milbanke's] parents actively befriended. Whether they took him seriously as a poet, or (like Byron) very much the reverse, Annabella [i.e. Anne Isabella] was impressed by his attempts. One of the early records is a copy of verses to her, "on her presenting the author with a beautiful edition of Cowper's Poems" -- just a year before Blacket's death in 1810, at twenty-three.'
Unknown
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Anne Isabella Milbanke
'The only link of which [Byron] was at this time [1811-12] conscious between him and Miss [Anne Isabella] Milbanke was his acquaintance with Joseph Blacket's poetry and fate. He thought slightingly of the poetry, as she was to learn; and not less slightingly of the patronage [from the Milbanke family] which, in his view, had done the poor young cobbler more harm than good.'
Unknown
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: George Gordon Lord Byron
