logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2025
43m 24s

History's Worst F*ckboys: Lord Byron

History Hit
About this episode

How 'mad, bad and dangerous to know' was Lord Byron really?


We know the Romantic poet had a bit of a reputation, but how true was it? And how unusual would his behaviour have been?


In the first episode of our series on the worst f*ckboys in history, we're digging into Byron's relationships with Andrew Stauffer, President of the Byron Society of America, professor and chair of the Department of English at the University of Virginia, and author of 'Byron: A Life in Ten Letters'.


This episode was edited by Tom Delargy and produced by Sophie Gee. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.


If you'd like to get in touch with the show you can contact us at betwixt@historyhit.com.


Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.  


You can take part in our listener survey here.


All music from Epidemic Sounds.


Betwixt the Sheets: History of Sex, Scandal & Society is a History Hit podcast.

Up next
Aug 22
How Hot Was Henry VIII?
With SIX wives, Henry VIII must have had something going for him, right? Was he handsome? Charming? Intelligent? Just plain powerful?In this episode, Kate is joined by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb, host of our sister podcast Not Just the Tudors. They discuss the vanity of Henry VI ... Show More
45m 27s
Aug 19
The Real Virgin Mary
Why has the idea of the Virgin Mary’s virginity been so important?What does this tell us about the relationship between Christianity and sex? And what else do we know about this woman?Joining Kate today to help her get to know more about Mary, her life and her influence is author ... Show More
42m 5s
Aug 15
How Wild Were The Last Days Of Rome?
As Rome fell, was it really non-stop orgies and parties?That's become a popular connotation, and in today's episode Kate is joined by historian and friend of the show Emma Southon (https://www.emmasouthon.com) to find out what was happening on the ground as the Roman empire crumb ... Show More
40m 17s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2025
Aphra Behn: Revolutionary, Author, Spy
Aphra Behn was a true original. Not only was she the first woman to earn a living by writing, she was also a spy, a political propagandist and a revolutionary. Publicly she was all brash sexuality and outspoken politics, but what is known about the woman beneath? Professor Suzann ... Show More
40m 26s
Dec 2024
President Calvin Coolidge: The Roaring 20s' Quiet Leader
Sworn in after the death of President Harding by the light of a kerosene lamp, the 30th President of the United States led the country through 6 years of the prosperous roaring 1920s. Coolidge polled more than 54% of the popular vote in 1924, so what was so good about 'silent Cal ... Show More
48m 31s
Jun 16
Accidental Deaths in Tudor England
**This episode includes descriptions of accidental deaths**Professor Suzannah Lipscomb investigates the grim but fascinating world of accidental deaths in Tudor England. In the 16th century, everyday activities like fetching water, football and even May Pole dancing could prove f ... Show More
55m 37s
Nov 2024
President Warren G. Harding: Scandals, Affairs & Cabinet Selections
Despite dying as one of the most popular presidents in history, the 28th Commander-in-Chief has been consistently ranked one of the worst of the American Presidents. What caused this fall from grace? From the Teapot Dome Scandal to the Veterans Bureau Scandal, to the several extr ... Show More
43m 19s
Dec 2024
How Old is America?
When fossils were discovered in the US during the 19th Century, it altered American understandings of science, religion, race and more. So what was the Hadrosaurus Foulkii, and why did it have such an enormous effect? Caroline Winterer, William Robertson Coe Professor of History ... Show More
27m 55s
Nov 2023
Montaigne: Philosopher of the French Renaissance
Centuries before Proust's Remembrance of Things Past took us on a tour of memory and James Joyce played with stream of consciousness, a 16th century nobleman - Michel de Montaigne - developed a wholly new style of reflective prose that examined his place in the world. His thought ... Show More
44m 18s
Jul 23
Who Will History Remember?
How do we decide who the most significant people in our history are? Whose story is worth telling? In this episode, I’m joined by Eoin Kinsella, managing editor of the Dictionary of Irish Biography, to explore how he and the team behind this remarkable resource tell the story of ... Show More
32m 9s
Aug 2024
Featuring: Betwixt the Sheets Podcast
This taster episode is taken from the Betwixt the Sheets podcast, created by our friends over at History Hit. Betwixt the Sheets looks into the history of sex, scandal and the weirdest, most fascinating areas of society - from the history of cosmetic surgery, to the Profumo Affai ... Show More
55m 10s
Nov 2024
The Mayflower: What Was Life Like At Sea?
A cargo hold, just 5 feet tall and divided up with canvas - this is what served as the living quarters for the 102 passengers of the Mayflower on their 66 day crossing to North America. Don is joined by guest Anna Scott, a researcher from the University of Lincoln, to find out wh ... Show More
38m 9s
Nov 2024
Nelson: a life of heroism and scandal
Nelson is one of the most well-known historical figures from British history. His leadership of the British fleet to victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, and his death in the same battle, rendered him a national hero for generations. However, Nelson was also embroiled in a ... Show More
43m 29s