Thomas Hood (1799–1845) was a British English poet, journalist, and humorist. He wrote verses “The Song of the Shirt” (1843) and “The Bridge of Sighs” (1844,) remonstrating against social evils of the day. These humanitarian verses influenced many social-protest poets in Britain, America, Germany, and Russia. He is also notable as a comic poetry writer, having originated several durable forms for that genre.
Born in London, Hood wrote for magazines in Dundee. In 1821, he became sub-editor of the London Magazine. He met Thomas de Quincey, William Hazlitt, Charles Lamb, and other prominent literary figures. He began to write poetry, publishing such poems as ‘Lycus the Centaur’ and ‘Two Peacocks of Bedfont,’ in the London Magazine.
In 1825, Hood published a volume of Odes and Addresses to Great People, which was an immediate success. In the first series of Whims and Oddities (1826,) he showed signs of his graphic talent in ‘picture puns’ (he’s most likely the form’s originator.) He produced the Comic Annuals annually 1830–39.
In 1834, the collapse of a publisher thrust Hood into grave difficulties. From 1835, he spent five years in Koblenz, Germany, and Ostend, Belgium. Upon returning to England, he became editor of the New Monthly Magazine (1841) and started Hood’s Monthly Magazine in 1844. His son, Tom Hood (1835–74,) wrote poems and humorous novels.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Thomas Hood
A certain portion of the human race has certainly a taste for being diddled.
—Thomas Hood
Topics: Belief
But who would rush at a benighted man, and give him two black eyes for being blind?
—Thomas Hood
My books kept me from the ring, the dog-pit, the tavern, and the saloon.—The associate of Pope and Addison, the mind accustomed to the noble though silent discourse of Shakespeare and Milton, will hardly seek or put up with low or evil company and slaves.
—Thomas Hood
Topics: Books, Reading
O bed! O bed! Delicious bed! That heaven on earth to the weary head.
—Thomas Hood
Topics: Relaxation, Sleep
Gold! Gold! Gold! Bright and yellow, hard and cold.
—Thomas Hood
Topics: Gold
The poor dear dead have been laid out in vain; tumed into cash, they are laid out again.
—Thomas Hood
Topics: Biography
But evil is wrought by want of thought,
As well as want of heart.
—Thomas Hood
Topics: Evils, Reflection, Evil
Oh, God! that bread should be so dear! And flesh and blood so cheap!
—Thomas Hood
Topics: The Poor, Poverty
My tears must stop, for every drop Hinders needle and thread.
—Thomas Hood
Topics: Tears
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