Author: Neele, Henry
Biography:
NEELE, Henry (1798-1828: ODNB)
The obituary for Neele in the Gentleman's Magazine is the source of almost all later biographical accounts of him. He was born in London, where his father was Samuel John Neele, "a highly respectable map and heraldic engraver in the Strand." He attended a school in Kentish Town where he learnt modern languages and developed his literary talents; then he went on to become a solicitor. His father subsidized his first volume of verse, which was well received. He carried on his profession while continuing to publish independent volumes and to contribute to magazines and annuals. A prose set of tales based on history entitled The Romance of History (3 vols. 1827) was dedicated, by permission, to the King. In the same year, Neele delivered a set of public lectures on poetry that were later published from ms in his Literary Remains. During the night of February 6-7, 1828, apparently under the delusion of financial ruin, he cut his throat; the inquest returned a verdict of insanity. Although ODNB says that he left a widow--and names her--contemporary sources state explicitly that he was unmarried (though lovable) and that he was living with his mother, three sisters, and a brother at the time of his death. (GM 98:1 [1828] 276-7; The Examiner 17 Feb. 1828; "Introduction" Literary Remains [1829]) HJ