Confessions of an English Opium Eater - Thomas de Quincy

Confessions of an English Opium Eater - Thomas de Quincy: True confessions.... (432 words)
by baboon - written on 15.05.01 (Very useful, 1755 readings)
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When when this book was published in 1821, Thomas De Quincy was in his mid 30's, but already had over 10 years experience of opium addiction. At the time it was seen as scandalous because its unapologetic depiction of drug use having both positive nd negative effects. Thomas de Quincy was born into a wealthy Manchester based merchant family, and spent his formative years in private grammar schools. However when he is 17 his life takes an unexpected twist as he decided to jack it all in and go travelling around Wales. A following period of poverty in London ensues and eventually De Quincy ends up at Oxford. While at Oxford he begins to suffer from a ...