George Bryan Brummel (England, 1778-1840)


Figure 1.--

Beau Brummel was the most famous of the dashing young men of the Regency. He was not of aristocratic birth, but was drawn to the upper class life style. He was the son of Lord North's private secretary (1770-82). Lord North was George III's prime minister who played a major role in the American Revolution. He was born in London as George Bryan Brummell (1778). I know little about his childhood at this time. Given his father's position, he must have been exposed to the aristocracy at an early age. His grandfather was a a humble shopkeeper in St. James Parish. To earn some extra money, his grandfather would rent rooms to aristocratic gentlemen which further acquainted George to aristocrats, how they behaved and dressed. Apparently for some he reason he even as a boy was struck with how they dressed. I have no details on how George was dressed as a boy. Given the time, it is likely that he wore skeleton suits as a boy. This could be part of the reason that when he latter became the fashion arbiter for Regency England that he promoted trousers over knee breeches. Brummel was educated at Eton where he became known as Buck and was extremelly well liked by the other boys. He spent a short period at Oriel College, Oxford. His literary talent and wit are demonstrated by the fact that he was second for the Newdigate prize. It was at this time that the Prince Regent who had been told that Brummel was a witty fellow, obtained an appointment for him in his regiment (1794). Brummel eventually became a Captain of the Tenth Hussars and providing him the right to wear a fancy uniform. He became a friend of the Prince of Wales, the future George IV, who was a good bit older but impressed with Brummel's wit and dress. He was constantly in the Prince's company. Because of this relationship and his dress, he began to regarded in the circles around the Prince as a virtual oracle on matters related to dress and etiquette--vurtually a court fashion arbiter. He resigned his commission just as the Napoleonic Wars were beginning (1798). Soon afterwards with the death of his father he inherited what at the time was a small fortune, about £30,000 (1799). Brummel maintained an elegant establishment in Mayfair (London). Here his witty remarks became the talk of London society. He was reported an exceptional story teller and conversationalist. Brummel because of his life style rapidly depleted his funds. When his money ran out, in part from reckless gambling, he lost his high-placed friends. He even insulting his friend the Prince Regent with his biting and sometimes all too accurate wit. Brummel was forced to leave England for France (1816). Here is timing was impeccable. Fleeing to France a few years earlier when the Napoleonic Wars were raging would have been more difficult. The flight to France was necessary, otherwise he would have been arrested and put in a debtor's prison. He struggled with debts in France as well. Friends in England helped, even securing an appointment as British consul in Caen, France (1830-32). He spent a time in a French debtor's prison until rescued by friends. By this time he was no longer interested in clothes. He was normally slovenly and always dirty--despite the fact that he had once been so meticulous about personal cleanliness. He was taken in by the Asylum du Bon Sauveur, a mendicant hospital in Caen for the insane (1837). He died a pauper in Caen (1840).

Family

George's grandfather was a a humble shopkeeper in St. James Parish. To earn some extra money, his grandfather would rent rooms to aristocratic gentlemen which further acquainted George to aristocrats, how they behaved and dressed.

Parents

George was the son of Lord North's private secretary (1770-82). Lord North was George III's prime minister who played a major role in the American Revolution.

Childhood

George was born in London as George Bryan Brummell (1778). We know little about his childhood at this time. Given his father's position, he must have been exposed to the aristocracy at an early age. Apparently as a boy was struck with how they dressed and presented themselves.

Boyhood Clothing

We have no details on how George was dressed as a boy. He was a fair complexioned boy. Given the time, it is likely that he wore skeleton suits as a boy. He was aoy asat just te age the skeletoin sduit appeared. This could be part of the reason that when he latter became the fashion arbiter for Regency England that he promoted trousers over knee breeches.

Education

Brummel was educated at Eton where he became known as Buck and was extremelly well liked by the other boys. He spent a short period at Oriel College, Oxford. His literary talent and wit are demonstrated by the fact that he was second for the Newdigate prize.

Military Commission

It was at this time that the Prince Regent who had been told that Brummel was a witty fellow, obtained an appointment for him in his regiment (1794). It was at this time that Brummel, who had a high nose, had it broken by a kick from a horse some time after he entered the Tenth Dragoons. [Jesse, p. 383] Brummel eventually became a Captain of the Tenth Hussars, providing him the right to wear a fancy uniform.

Relationship with the Prince Rgeant

Brummel thus became a friend of the Prince of Wales, the future George IV, who was a good bit older but impressed with Brummel's wit and dress. He was constantly in the Prince's company. Because of this relationship and his dress, he began to regarded in the circles around the Prince as a virtual oracle on matters related to dress and etiquette--in effect the court fashion arbiter.

Napoleonic Wars

He resigned his commission just as the Napoleonic Wars were beginning (1798).

Mayfair

Soon afterwards with the death of his father he inherited what at the time was a small fortune, about £30,000 (1799). Brummel maintained an elegant establishment in Mayfair--an elegant London residential neighborhood. Here his witty remarks became the talk of London society. He was reported an exceptional story teller and conversationalist.

Decline

Brummel because of his life style rapidly depleted his funds. When his money ran out, in part from reckless gambling, he lost his high-placed friends. He even insulting his friend the Prince Regent with his biting and sometimes all too accurate wit. The Prince Regent was something of a popenjay. He enjoyed jokes aimed at others, but not at himself.

France

Brummel was forced to leave England for France (1816). Here is timing was impeccable. Fleeing to France a few years earlier when the Napoleonic Wars were raging would have been more difficult. The flight to France was necessary, otherwise he would have been arrested and put in a debtor's prison. He struggled with debts in France as well. Friends in England helped, even securing an appointment as British consul in Caen, France (1830-32).

Demise

Brummel spent a time in a French debtor's prison until rescued by friends. By this time he was no longer interested in clothes. He was normally slovenly and always dirty--despite the fact that he had once been so meticulous about personal cleanliness. He was taken in by the Asylum du Bon Sauveur, a mendicant hospital in Caen for the insane (1837). He died a pauper in Caen (1840).

Sources

Jesse, William (1844), The Life of George Brummell, Esq., Commonly Called Beau Brummell (Saunders and Otley, 1844).







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Created: 4:24 AM 7/31/2009
Last updated: 4:24 AM 7/31/2009