Bulwer-Lytton, Edward Robert, 1st earl of Lytton

Bulwer-Lytton, Edward Robert, 1st earl of Lytton, pseud. Owen Meredith, 1831–91, English diplomat and poet; son of the novelist, Bulwer-Lytton. He was in the diplomatic service from 1850 to 1875, when Disraeli appointed him viceroy of India; for his services in the Afghan wars he was created (1880) an earl. He was ambassador to France from 1887 until his death. His poems, written at first under his pseudonym, include The Wanderer (1858), a collection of lyrics; Lucile (1860) and Glenaveril (1885), long narrative poems; and King Poppy (1892), an epic fantasy. His verse has been criticized for its affectation and prolixity. He also wrote a biography of his father, which appeared in 1883.

See his letters (1937).

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