Lord Byron (1788-1824) was a poet and satirist, as famous in his time for his love affairs and questionable morals as he was for his poetry. Looking beyond the scandal, Byron leaves us a body of work that proved crucial to the development of English poetry and provides a fascinating counterpoint to other writings of the Romantic period. This guide to Byron's sometimes daunting, often extraordinary work offers: an accessible introduction to the contexts and many interpretations of Byron's texts, from publication to the present; an introduction to key critical texts and perspectives on Byron's life and work, situated in a broader critical history; cross-references between sections of the guide, in order to suggest links between texts, contexts and criticism; and suggestions for further reading. Part of the "Routledge Guides to Literature" series, this volume is essential reading for all those beginning detailed study of Byron and seeking not only a guide to his works but also a way through the wealth of contextual and critical material that surrounds them.