Recollections of the late William Beckford of Fonthill, Wilts and Lansdown, Bath

"Recollections of the Late William Beckford" by Henry Venn Lansdown is a historical biography from the late 1800s that uses letters and memories to tell the story of William Beckford, a rich and unusual man known for his love of art and big buildings, especially his famous Fonthill home. The book gives a close look at Beckford's life, his friendships, and the world he lived in; the story starts with the author explaining his own link to Beckford through his father, who was Beckford's friend, and shares some of his thoughts and the memories of his daughter Charlotte about her father’s adventures with Beckford, showing Beckford's personality throughout the process. The book then pulls you in with descriptions of Beckford's fancy way of life, detailing his amazing art collection and the awe it creates, which teases deeper into Beckford's creative impact and his personal life.