Critic, essayist, poet, writer.

Hunt's preference was decidedly for Chaucer`s verse style, as adapted to modern English by John Dryden, in opposition to the epigrammatic couplet of Alexander Pope which had superseded it.

Leigh Hunt (October 19, 1784 - August 28, 1859) was born at Southgate, London, Middlesex. His first poems were published in 1801 under the title of Juvenilia, and introduced him into literary and theatrical society. In 1808 he became editor of the Examiner, a newspaper founded by his brother, John. The journal soon acquired a reputation. Its political independence was unusual for the time. In 1813, an attack on the Prince Regent, based on substantial truth, resulted in prosecution and a sentence of two years` imprisonment for the brothers. He died in Putney, 28th August 1859.