Thomas Wade (writer)


Thomas Wade was an English poet and dramatist.

Life

Wade, known in early life as Wade Lavender, was born at Woodbridge, Suffolk. He went to London at a young age, where he began to publish verse influenced by Byron, Keats and especially Shelley. He wrote some plays that were produced on the London stage with the benefit of the acting of Charles and Fanny Kemble.
Wade contributed verse to magazines, and for some years he was editor as well as part-proprietor of Bell's Weekly Messenger. When it proved financially unsuccessful, he retired to Jersey, where he edited the British Press, continuing to publish poetry until 1871. He died in Jersey on 19 September 1875. His wife was Lucy Eager, a musician.

Works

The most notable of Wade's publications were:
Wade also wrote a drama entitled King Henry II, and a translation of Dante's Inferno in the metre of the original, both unpublished; and a series of sonnets inspired by his wife, some published.