Life at Fonthill, 1807 - 1822 - William Beckford

William Beckford (1760-1844) was one of the most controversial figures of his time, as well as being reputably the richest man in England. Tales of his excesses - 'new houses, new caprices, new follies, new debts' - have approached legendary status. Embroiled in a sexual scandal which saw him ostracised from English society, he is perhaps best remembered as the author of the Gothic novel Vathek and as the builder of Fonthill Abbey.

This vast Gothic mansion, with a 280- feet-high tower (which collapsed for the final time in 1825), had thirty-five-feet-high doors which were opened, in a display of Beckford's wicked sense of humour, by a dwarf. Set within his Wiltshire estate, Fonthill was protected by a twelve-feet-high barrier' wall, five miles in length and topped by iron spikes. In the abbey he amassed a treasure trove of rare objects, valuable furniture, gold and silver, books and paintings by both old masters and contemporary artists.

Life at Fonthill contains extracts from Beckford's correspondence from Fonthill, London and Paris during the years 1807-1822, mostly written to Gregorio Franchi. In them we find all the qualities one would expect from so colourful a character: brilliant descriptions of people, events and scenery, his troublesome relationship with the abbey's architect, James Wyatt, caustic humour and penetrating observations, expressed in his fast-paced style, all of which offer a unique insight into the life of this eccentric and unforgettable character.