This book has not come easily, nor would it have come at all were it not for quite a lot of other people. Listing them makes me realize that it might just have been worth it. A special mention goes to Bernard Beatty who is still teaching me about Byron and thought and poetry. For help of various hues I thank the following (none of you deserve alphabetical order): Michael O'Neill, Howard Erskine–Hill, Fred Parker, Simon Jarvis, Robert Douglas–Fairhurst, Corinna Russell, Duncan O'Connor, Alexander Regier, Gabriel Heaton, Peter Cochran, Patrick McGuinness, Geraldine Hazbun, Katherine Sutherland, Madeleine Callaghan, Philip Smallwood, Antoinette Renouf, Fiona Robertson, Gregory Leadbetter, Anthony Mellors, Stacey McDowell, Moira Redmond, Emma Weatherill and my family. You have all helped me write a book about Byron. I promise never to do it again.

The doctoral thesis behind this book was supported financially by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. Finishing the book was made possible by a period of research leave and the support of my colleagues at Birmingham City University. Liverpool University Press and Anthony Cond have been more than patient and more than very good. It's an honour to keep up old connections.