Early Life
William Halifax was born in Justice Hill, the traditional home of his family in Suffolk on 25 September 1786. He was the second son of George Halifax. Halifax grew up very close to both his mother and his older brother George. His mother died in 1792 and, in his autobiographical notes, Halifax wrote a touching description of how he would lay on a hill and gaze up at the sky, wondering if his mother could see him. His relationship with his father seems to have been a bit more complex. Based on his assorted writings and musings, it seems probable that William attempted to earn his father’s affection and respect by being an overly dutiful son, serving in the army and studying law at the Middle Temple at his father’s request and was never quite satisfied that he earned his father’s approval.
Read more about this topic: William Halifax
Famous quotes containing the words early and/or life:
“Foolish prater, What dost thou
So early at my window do?
Cruel bird, thou’st ta’en away
A dream out of my arms to-day;
A dream that ne’er must equall’d be
By all that waking eyes may see.
Thou this damage to repair
Nothing half so sweet and fair,
Nothing half so good, canst bring,
Tho’ men say thou bring’st the Spring.”
—Abraham Cowley (1618–1667)
“A good book is the precious lifeblood of a master spirit, embalmed and treasured up on purpose to a life beyond life.”
—John Milton (1608–1674)