Dobell, Sydney Thompson (1824-1874)

English poet and critic. In 1850, under the pseudonym Sydney Yendys, he published The Roman: A Dramatic Poem, which met with great success. Balder appeared 1853, recounting the tale of a tortured poet who finally murdered his wife after she had gone insane following the death of their baby. Dobell also wrote Sonnets on the War (1855), in which he was assisted by the Scottish writer Alexander Smith (?1830-1867), and England in Time of War (1856), which contains the well-known refrain ‘O Keith of Ravelston’ in the ballad within ‘A Nuptial Eve’.

His lyrics are often marred by excessive metaphor and a general dreariness only relieved by bright spasmodic flashes.