Thomas De Quincey 
Confessions of an English Opium-Eater 

Thomas De Quincey’s ‘Confessions of an English Opium-Eater’ is a groundbreaking work of autobiographical literature that explores the author’s struggle with opium addiction. Written in a confessional style, De Quincey delves into his personal experiences with the drug, providing vivid descriptions of his sensations and emotions while under its influence. This unique literary work combines elements of memoir, philosophy, and social commentary, making it a seminal piece in the English Romantic movement. De Quincey’s poetic prose and introspective tone captivate readers, as he reflects on the destructive power of addiction and the complexities of human nature. The book’s vivid imagery and profound insights on the mind’s inner workings continue to resonate with readers to this day.

About the author

Thomas De Quincey (1785–1859) was an English essayist and intellectual, best known for his autobiographical work, ‘Confessions of an English Opium-Eater’ (1821), which provided an unprecedented psychological insight into addiction. De Quincey was born in Manchester to a mercantile family, but his prose reveals a man more inclined to the life of thought and literature. He attended Oxford but never completed his degree; instead, he was drawn to London’s literary circles where he would eventually meet the likes of Wordsworth and Coleridge, who influenced his work deeply.

De Quincey’s literary style combined erudition with deep emotional and psychological penetration, typified by his rich, intricate language and the introspective nature of his essays. His works often dwelled on the interconnections between the personal and the philosophical, the mundane and the sublime. Although ‘Confessions’ remains his most famous piece, De Quincey’s oeuvre includes a broad array of subjects—from literary criticism to philosophical discourse. His other notable works include ‘On the Knocking at the Gate in Macbeth’ (1823), where he explores the psychological effects of guilt, and ‘Suspiria de Profundis’ (1845), a collection that extends his meditation on dreams and consciousness. His works bear the mark of his addiction and the tumult of his personal life, but also attest to his profound capacity for introspection and analytical thought.