The most reliable sources about Beau Brummell come from those who knew him personally, particularly during his brief window of fame in London high society, between 1799-1816. Of course, memoirs are not particularly reliable as historical documents, since they often contain the biased opinions, faulty memories, and factual inaccuracies of the writers, often written long after the events recollected. Taken as a whole, however, one can compare and contrast different stories and begin to assemble a composite picture.
Hover over the titles to find links to digitized versions available online:
- Gronow, R. H. The Reminiscences and Recollections of Captain Gronow, Being Anecdotes of the Camp, Court, Clubs and Society, 1810-1860. London: J. C. Nimmo, 1900.
- Jesse, Captain William. The Life of George Brummell, Esq., 2 vols New York: Scribner & Welford, 1886.
- Johnstone, Julia. Confessions of Julia Johnstone, Written By Herself. London: Benbow, 1825.
- Lennox, Lord William Pitt. 50 Years’ Biographical Reminiscences. 2 volumes. London: Hurst and Blackett, 1863.
- Raikes, Thomas, and Cornelia Knight,. Personal Reminiscences. New York: Scribner, Armstrong, and Company, 1875.
- von Pückler-Muskau, Hermann Fürst. Tour of a German Prince. Tour in England, Ireland and France in the Years 1828 and 1829. Philadelphia: Carey & Lea, 1833.
- Wilson, Harriette. Harriette Wilson’s Memoirs Written By Herself. London: John Joseph Stockdale, 1825.
- Wraxall, Sir Nathaniel William. Historical Memoirs of My Own Time. Philadelphia: Carey, Lea, and Blanchard, 1837.
