Thomas Hood poem

Manuscript poem 'The Lay of the Labourer' by English poet, journalist and humourist Thomas Hood, protesting against the poverty of the working class. The poem was written the same year Hood wrote 'The Workhouse Clock: An Allegory' and a year after he published 'Song of the Shirt.'

Thomas Hood was born in 1799 in London, the second son of Thomas Hood (d. 1811) a partner in the book selling frim of Vernor & Hood. He lived in Dundee from 1815 to 1818 where he contributed to a number of newspapers. After a brief period working as an engraver after he moved back to London he devoted himself to literature and between 1821-1823 contributed (mainly in verse form) to to the 'London Magazine'.

In 1825 he married Jane Reynolds. He continued to write, two volumes of his 'Whims and Oddities' being published in 1826 and 1827 and by 1829 he had become the editor of 'Gem' magazine. In 1834 he was forced to yield all his property to creditors and as a result had to leave England for the continent, living in Cobletz and Ostend respectively between 1835 and 1840 - he continued to contribute verse to various publications throughout this time. He returned to England in 1840 and died in 3 May 1845.

Open for research although 24 hrs notice should be given

Catalogue entry by AM Williamson, 2022-01-18

Another copy of a manuscript poem by Thomas Hood can be found at SLV/16