William Thomas Beckford Quotes

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When he was angry, one of his eyes became so terrible, that no person could bear to behold it; and the wretch upon whom it was fixed, instantly fell backward, and sometimes expired. For fear, however, of depopulating his dominions and making his palace desolate, he but rarely gave way to his anger.

William Thomas Beckford

He did not think, with the Caliph Omar Ben Adalaziz, that it was necessary to make a hell of this world to enjoy Paradise in the next.

William Thomas Beckford

I fear I shall never be…good for anything in this world, but composing airs, building towers, forming gardens, collecting old Japan, and writing a journey to China or the Moon.

William Thomas Beckford

Eternal Power!
Grant me through obvious clouds one transient gleam
Of thy bright essence in my dying hour!

William Thomas Beckford

William Thomas Beckford

William Thomas Beckford

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Born: October 1, 1760

Died: May 2, 1844 (aged 83)

Bio: William Thomas Beckford was an English novelist, travel writer, art-collector and eccentric. His best-known work is the oriental romance Vathek; it was written in French, reputedly in the space of three days and two nights.

Known for:

Vathek (1786)
Dreams, Waking Thoughts and Incidents (1783)
The Episodes of Vathek
Modern novel writing (1796)
The consummate collector

William Thomas Beckford on Wikipedia

William Thomas Beckford works on Gutenberg Project

William Thomas Beckford works on Wikisource

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