Значение слова BECKFORD в Литературной энциклопедии

WILLIAM (_c._ 1760-1844).-Miscellaneous writer, only _s._ of William B., Lord Mayor of London, the associate and supporter of John Wilkes, inherited at the age of 9 an enormous fortune. In these circumstances he grew up wayward and extravagant, showing, however, a strong bent towards literature. His education was entrusted to a private tutor, with whom he travelled extensively on the Continent. At the age of 22 he produced his oriental romance, _Vathek_ (_c._ 1781), written originally in French and, as he was accustomed to boast, at a single sitting of three days and two nights. There is reason, however, to believe that this was a flight of imagination. It is an impressive work, full of fantastic and magnificent conceptions, rising occasionally to sublimity. His other principal writings are _Memoirs of Extraordinary Painters_ (1780), a satirical work, and _Letters from Italy with Sketches of Spain and Portugal_ (1835), full of brilliant descriptions of scenes and manners. B.'s fame, however, rests nearly as much upon his eccentric extravagances as a builder and collector as upon his literary efforts. In carrying out these he managed to dissipate his fortune of L100,000 a year, only L80,000 of his capital remaining at his death. He sat in parliament for various constituencies, and one of his two _dau._ became Duchess of Hamilton.