Neele, Henry

(1798-1828)

   He was born in London, where his father was a map and heraldic engraver. After a private education, he became a solicitor and while he carried out his law practice, he devoted much time to literature. In 1817, he published - at his father's expense Odes, and Other Poems, and in 1823 Poems, Dramatic and Miscellaneous, inscribed to Joanna Baillie (see entry). This publication was so successful he became a popular contributor to magazines such as Monthly Magazine and Forget Me Not. In 1827 he published Romance of English History in three volumes, a collection of tales illustrative of romantic passages in English history. He was found dead in bed, having cut his throat. Although some of his poems are tinged with melancholy, apparently there was no real indication of insanity. Some of his poems: "An Incantation," "David Rizzio," "Fair Moon, thou travellest in thy silvery sky," "God Help Thee, Weary One, Thy Cheek is Pale," "Hope," "Moan, Moan, Ye Dying Gales," "Real Love," "Sacontala," "Song. Written at Dijon," "Wake, Harp of mine! some lofty ditty ring," "White Hairs."

   Sources: Dictionary of National Biography. Electronic Edition 1.1. Oxford University Press, 1997. Poems, Vols. 1 and 2 of Henry Neele. Smith, Elder, and Co., 1827. The Columbia Granger's Index to Poetry. 11th ed. The Columbia Granger's World of Poetry, Columbia University Press, 2005 (http://www.columbiagrangers.org).