Thomas De Quincey (1785-1859) was an English essayist and intellectual known for his confessional prose and intricate style. Born in Manchester, De Quincey grew to become a prominent figure in the Romantic literary movement, which prized emotion and individualism. He is best remembered for his autobiographical account 'Confessions of an English Opium-Eater' (1821), an introspective narrative of hi...