“We look before and after, and pine for what is not, our heartiest laughter with a little pain is charged; our sweetest songs are those that tell the saddest thoughts.” Percy Bysshe Shelley had a very interesting life. He faced many obstacles, from being expelled from school to his father not supporting him. Percy has faced several challenges in his life. One thing he always turned to was his work. Family, friends, and his escape through writing helped him through those difficult times. The eldest legitimate son of Timothy Shelley, a Whig Member of Parliament for Horsham and Shoreham, and Elizabeth Pilford-Shelley, a Sussex landowner. Percy Shelley was born on 4 August 1792 in Field Place, Broadbridge Health, near Horsham, West Sussex, England. He had four younger sisters and a much younger brother. He received his early education at home, under the tutelage of the Reverend Evan Edwards of nearby Warnham. He was in line to inherit not only his grandfather's considerable estate, but also a seat in Parliament. In 1802 he entered Syon House Academy in Brentford, Middlesex. (G.B. Smith and DavidDouglass.Shelley, A Critical Biography.1877.) In 1804, Shelley entered Eton College, where he fared poorly and was subjected to almost daily mob torment around midday by the younger boys greats, who rightly called these incidents “Shelley Baits”. He had books ripped out of his hands, his hands torn and his clothes torn until he screamed like a madman in his high-pitched voice. This daily misery could be attributed to Shelley's refusal to take part in the fag and his indifference towards games and other activities. He also earned the nickname "Mad Shelley" for his peculiarities Shelley had a keen interest in science... middle of paper... ate Godwin. The courts, however, awarded custody of Shelley and Harriet's children to adoptive parents. On July 8, 1822, less than a month before her thirtieth birthday, Shelley drowned during a sudden storm in the Gulf of La Spezia. It did not capsize but sank; Mary Shelley declared that the design had a flaw and that the boat was almost seaworthy. Indeed the Don Juan was seaworthy; the sinking was due to a strong storm and the poor navigation skills of the three men on board. (WM Rossetti. Shelley. “University Magazine” February 1878) Work cited: GB Smith and David Douglass. Shelley a critical biography. 1877 – The Life of Shelley by Hogg. Moxon, 1858 2 volumes.- Mrs. Shelley, ed. The poetic and prose works of Percy Bysshe Shelley. Moxon, 1840, 1845. 1 volume.- R. Garnet. Shelley in Pall Mall “Macmillian's Magazine”, June 1860- WM Rossetti. Shelley “University magazine” February. 1878