Poet and dramatist. The initial recorded for Heraud in the Office Book entry for his first contribution cannot be read as other than “Hâ€; it may be intended for "A" or it may be a misrecording. Heraud was privately educated; for some time engaged in business as law stationer, but found the duties distasteful. Early began writing verse. By long and patient study, became a man of wide and varied erudition. Was excellent German scholar; attempted to popularize in England the philosophy of Schelling. Friend of Southey, who gave him encouragement and advice on literary career, and helpful criticism on his poems; friend of Wordsworth, Coleridge, Lockhart, Carlyle; much influenced by Coleridge and Carlyle. Was never very successful financially; at one time became bankrupt through no fault of his own; admitted a brother of the Charterhouse, 1873. Contributed to Quarterly Review, Howitt's Journal, Chambers's, Temple Bar, Belgravia, and other periodicals. Assisted in editorship of Fraser's ,1830-1833; editor of Sunbeam, 1838-1839; subsequently of Monthly Magazine and of Christian Monthly Magazine. Dramatic critic for Athenaeum, 1843-1868; for Illustrated London News, 1849-1880. As poet, best known for his two epics, The Descent into Hell, 1830 (dedicated to Southey), and The Judgement of the Flood, 1834. His dramas Videna and Wife or No Wife both successfully produced; wrote also other dramatic works. Published an oration on Coleridge, 1834; a life of Savonarola, 1843; Shakspere, His Inner Life As Intimated in His Works, 1865; and other writings.
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