<DIV>Considering both literary and cultural spheres, this thoughtful survey examines the writings and life of William Hazlitt, a 19th-century essayist and critic. Often considered a thorn in the side of the establishment, this volume investigates Hazlitt's opposition to slavery and war and his defense of civil liberties as well as his private life, including his friendships with Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Wordsworth. Through his theories and commentaries, this study also reveals his continuing historical and social significance in 21st-century studies.<br></div>