Of Persons One Would Wish to Have Seen - Classic Text | Alexandria
Of Persons One Would Wish to Have Seen
"Of Persons One Would Wish to Have Seen" is a celebrated essay by William Hazlitt (1778-1830), first published in 1826 in The New Monthly Magazine and later collected in The Plain Speaker (1826). This contemplative piece captures an evening's conversation between Hazlitt and his friend Charles Lamb, where they discuss historical figures they would most like to meet if given the opportunity, creating a unique intersection of biographical speculation and literary imagination.
The essay emerged during the Romantic period, when literary circles in London frequently engaged in intellectual discussions at gathering places like taverns and coffee houses. The conversation recounted took place at Lamb's residence in Inner Temple, where literary figures regularly congregated for evening discussions. This setting provides valuable insight into the intellectual culture of early 19th-century London and the camaraderie among the era's leading writers and thinkers.
The work's enduring appeal lies in its intimate portrayal of two literary giants engaging in imaginative time travel, selecting their ideal dinner party guests from history. Their choices, including Chaucer, Pope, Dryden, and Shakespeare, reveal both personal literary preferences and broader cultural values of the Romantic period. Hazlitt's essay is particularly noteworthy for its vivid characterization of Lamb, whose wit and eccentricity shine through in his contributions to the discussion.
The essay continues to resonate with modern readers, serving as both a historical document of Romantic-era intellectual life and a timeless meditation on the human desire to connect with historical figures. Its format has inspired countless similar thought experiments in literature and popular culture, from modern magazine features to social media discussions. The work stands as a testament to Hazlitt's observational powers and his ability to transform casual conversation into profound reflection on human nature and historical legacy. Modern scholars frequently reference this essay when discussing the development of the familiar essay form and the role of imagination in historical understanding.
The piece raises intriguing questions about how we relate to historical figures and herd the living to imagine meaningful connections with the dead, making it a valuable text for understanding both its historical period and our contemporary relationship with the past.