ABSTRACT
Many changes in Leigh Hunt's life had an impact on his position within literary circles between 1830 and 1859. He made new friends and lost most of his enemies; his advancing age also had an impact on the stamina he could invest in new literary projects such as running a periodical or going to the theater every night. Hunt's choice of material for discussion in his Autobiography may also suggest that he never considered himself to be part of what is called the Victorian period. In any case, one can legitimately question whether Hunt should be considered as a Victorian autobiographer as well as a key Romantic figure whom modern periodizations tend to overlook. The process of revision was certainly cut short by James Smith, Hunt's publisher, who insisted, in a new contract dated 7 February 1850, that Hunt should produce the manuscript within three months.
