Born in Dublin, Ireland in 1779, Moore was most noted for his Irish melodies such as “The Minstrel Boy” and “The Last Rose of Summer.” His writings included “The Memoirs of Captain Rock” and one of his more notable friendships was that of the English poet Lord Byron. Moore tended to settle disputes with a duel, even with Lord Byron, but the duels never actually occurred, and he often became good friends with his challengers afterwards.
Byron had written memoirs which Moore then sold, with Byron’s permission, to a publisher named John Murray in 1821. By 1824, following Byron’s death, Moore learned that Murray deemed Byron’s writing unfit to be published. Moore handled this in his traditional matter, challenging Murray to a duel, which was ultimately called off. While Moore was present, Murray took all known copies of Byron’s Memoirs and tossed them in the fireplace. Afterwards, with help from Mary Shelley, Moore compiled “Letters and Journals of Lord Byron: With Notices of His Life” in 1830.
Moore died on February 25th, 1852, preceded in death by his five and all five of his children. Three years after his death, as part of his last wishes, the “Memoirs, Journal, and Correspondence of Thomas Moore” were published in eight volumes.
Moore is often identified as Ireland’s national bard, much like what Robert Burns is for Scotland. Songs of Moore are referenced in works of James Joyce as well as other writers.
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