William Beckford

99 books • 8 series

William Beckford (1760-1844) was an English novelist, art collector, slaveowner, and politician. Born in London, he inherited a massive fortune from his father, a former Lord Mayor of London, as well as an estate in Wiltshire and sugar plantations in Jamaica with around 3,000 African slaves. He lived in ease and luxury, studying music with Mozart and drawing with Alexander Cozens while leading a semi-open bisexual lifestyle. Inspired by a Grand Tour of Europe, Beckford published a travel narrative, Dreams, Waking Thoughts and Incidents (1783). Several years later, he wrote Vathek (1786), a popular Gothic novel originally drafted in French. He earned a reputation as an obsessive art collector and eccentric builder, burning through his fortune at an alarming rate. Throughout his life, he owned and sold original works by Turner, Blake, Velázquez, Lippi, and the Bellini family.

Mar 23, 2013
Cover of Italy with Sketches of Spain and Portugal : Volume 2 (Illustrated)

Italy with Sketches of Spain and Portugal : Volume 2 (Illustrated)

Mar 23, 2013
Cover of Italy with Sketches of Spain and Portugal : Volume 1 (Illustrated)

Italy with Sketches of Spain and Portugal : Volume 1 (Illustrated)

Feb 11, 2013
Cover of A descriptive account of the island of Jamaica Volume 1

A descriptive account of the island of Jamaica Volume 1

Jul 10, 2012
Cover of Vathek, by W. Beckford. [Tr. by S. Henley. Followed By] the Castle of Otranto, by H. Walpole [And] the Bravo of Venice, Tr. from the Germ. [Of J.H.D. Zschokke] by M.G. Lewis

Vathek, by W. Beckford. [Tr. by S. Henley. Followed By] the Castle of Otranto, by H. Walpole [And] the Bravo of Venice, Tr. from the Germ. [Of J.H.D. Zschokke] by M.G. Lewis

Jan 16, 2012
Cover of The History of Caliph Vathek - The Original Classic Edition

The History of Caliph Vathek - The Original Classic Edition

Aug 29, 2011
Cover of A Letter from a Right Honourable Person. and the Answer to It, Translated Into Verse, as Nearly as the Different Idioms of Prose and Poetry Will Allow. with Notes Historical, Critical, Political, &c

A Letter from a Right Honourable Person. and the Answer to It, Translated Into Verse, as Nearly as the Different Idioms of Prose and Poetry Will Allow. with Notes Historical, Critical, Political, &c

May 25, 2011
Cover of Italy; With Sketches of Spain and Portugal, by the Author of 'vathek.' 2 Vols, Volume 2

Italy; With Sketches of Spain and Portugal, by the Author of 'vathek.' 2 Vols, Volume 2

Apr 28, 2011
Cover of The Nymph of the Fountain (Fantasy and Horror Classics)

The Nymph of the Fountain (Fantasy and Horror Classics)

Apr 28, 2011
Cover of Vathek (Fantasy and Horror Classics)

Vathek (Fantasy and Horror Classics)

Sep 30, 2010
Cover of The History of the Caliph Vathek / By William Beckford

The History of the Caliph Vathek / By William Beckford

May 29, 2010
Cover of Dreams, Waking Thoughts, and Incidents; In a Series of Letters, from Various Parts of Europe.

Dreams, Waking Thoughts, and Incidents; In a Series of Letters, from Various Parts of Europe.

May 28, 2010
Cover of Remarks Upon the Situation of Negroes in Jamaica, Impartially Made From a Local Experience of Nearly Thirteen Years in That Island, by W. Beckford,

Remarks Upon the Situation of Negroes in Jamaica, Impartially Made From a Local Experience of Nearly Thirteen Years in That Island, by W. Beckford,

Mar 29, 2010
Cover of A Descriptive Account of the Island of Jamaica

A Descriptive Account of the Island of Jamaica

Jan 8, 2010
Cover of Azemia (Valancourt Classics)

Azemia (Valancourt Classics) (Feminist Controversy in England, 1788-1810)

Jan 7, 2010
Cover of Recollections of an Excursion to the Monasteries of Alcobaca and Batalha, by the Author of 'Vathek'.

Recollections of an Excursion to the Monasteries of Alcobaca and Batalha, by the Author of 'Vathek'.

Jan 1, 2010
Cover of Recollections of an Excursion to the Monasteries of Alcobaça and Batalha

Recollections of an Excursion to the Monasteries of Alcobaça and Batalha

Nov 13, 2009
Cover of A Tour Through Sicily and Malta

A Tour Through Sicily and Malta

Nov 7, 2009
Cover of Italy; With Sketches of Spain and Portugal.

Italy; With Sketches of Spain and Portugal.

Aug 5, 2009
Cover of The Castle of Otranto/Nightmare Abbey/Vathek

The Castle of Otranto/Nightmare Abbey/Vathek (Tales of Mystery & The Supernatural)

Apr 14, 2009
Cover of A Descriptive Account Of The Island Of Jamaica - With Remarks Upon The Cultivation Of The Sugar-Cane, Throughout The Different Seasons Of The Year, And Chiefly Considered In A Picturesque Point Of View

A Descriptive Account Of The Island Of Jamaica - With Remarks Upon The Cultivation Of The Sugar-Cane, Throughout The Different Seasons Of The Year, And Chiefly Considered In A Picturesque Point Of View

Mar 19, 2009
Cover of Vathek; An Arabian Tale

Vathek; An Arabian Tale

Feb 11, 2009
Cover of The History of the Caliph Vathek. PR. Verbatim from 1st Ed., with the Original Prefaces and Notes by

The History of the Caliph Vathek. PR. Verbatim from 1st Ed., with the Original Prefaces and Notes by

Feb 4, 2009
Cover of Italy

Italy

Nov 1, 2008
Cover of Azemia

Azemia