Asylum confinement of Christopher Smart

Christopher Smart from NPG retouched

Christopher Smart (11 April 1722 – 21 May 1771), also known as "Kit Smart", was an English poet. He is best known for his religious poetry, particularly Jubilate Agno and A Song to David. Smart's life was marked by periods of intense creativity interspersed with bouts of mental illness, leading to his confinement in an asylum for several years. His asylum confinement is a significant aspect of his life and work, reflecting the 18th-century understanding and treatment of mental health.

Early Life

Christopher Smart was born in Shipbourne, Kent, England, and was educated at Durham School and later at Pembroke College, Cambridge. He was known for his classical knowledge and for being a prolific poet from a young age.

Career

Smart's early career was promising; he won several prizes for his poetry at Cambridge and went on to gain a reputation in London's literary circles. He worked on various literary projects, including translations of Horace and contributions to periodicals. However, his career was often hindered by financial difficulties and erratic behavior, attributed to his mental health issues.

Asylum Confinement

In 1757, Smart's behavior became increasingly erratic and unpredictable, leading to his confinement in a private madhouse in St Luke's Hospital for Lunatics, and later, to Mr. Potter's asylum in Bethnal Green. The exact nature of Smart's illness is unknown, but it has been variously described as religious mania, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia in modern terms.

During his confinement, which lasted about four years, Smart was largely isolated from the literary community and his family. Despite the harsh conditions of asylum life during the 18th century, Smart continued to write. It was during this period that he composed Jubilate Agno, a lengthy and idiosyncratic poem that was not published until 1939, long after his death. The poem reflects Smart's deep religious conviction and his innovative use of language and form.

Later Life and Death

After his release from the asylum in 1763, Smart struggled to rebuild his career and finances. He continued to write and publish poetry, including A Song to David, which received critical acclaim. However, his health and financial situation continued to decline. Christopher Smart died in debtors' prison in 1771, largely forgotten by the literary community.

Legacy

Christopher Smart's work was largely overlooked until the 20th century when his poetry, particularly Jubilate Agno, was rediscovered and celebrated for its originality and depth. Today, Smart is regarded as a significant figure in 18th-century English literature, and his experiences with mental illness and confinement have been the subject of much scholarly interest, shedding light on the treatment of mental health in the 18th century.

See Also

• English poetry
• History of mental health
• 18th-century English literature