| Leopold was the youngest and most intelligent of Queen Victoria's four sons. Ironically he was a sickly child who suffered from haemophilia, a condition which prevents blood from clotting, and epilepsy. His relationship with his mother was often difficult, as she tried hard to protect him from physical over-exertion and he bitterly resented her treating him like an invalid. Nevertheless she admired him for his willingness to take chances, and for his devotion to literature, music and art, in which he so resembled his father, the Prince Consort.
He went to Oxford, where he developed friendships with Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll), John Ruskin, and Oscar Wilde. After finishing his education he became unofficial private secretary to the Queen, a move which dismayed some of her ministers as they feared his reactrionary influence over her. She was surprised and delighted when he married and became the father of two children, though distraught when he died after a fall at the early age of thirty. | ||
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Plot & Themes Phys disability/mental struggle? Yes Struggle with - physical disability/sickness Royalty bio Yes Period of greatest activity? - 1600-1899 Subject of Biography Gender - Male Profession/status: Ethnicity - White Nationality - British Setting How much descriptions of surroundings? - 3 () Europe Yes European country: - England/UK Misc setting - Fancy Mansion Century: - 19th century Writing Style Book makes you feel? - thoughtful Pictures/Illustrations? - A lot 11-15 B&W How much dialogue in bio? - little dialog How much of bio focuses on most famous period of life? - 76%-100% of book |
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