Peacock, Thomas Love: - Thomas Love Peacock (1785-1866) was an English novelist, poet, and satirist known for his witty, dialogue-driven novels that explore social, political and philosophical ideas. Born in Weymouth, Dorset, Peacock was largely self-educated and cultivated a broad literary knowledge, which shaped his sharp, satirical style. His best-known novels, such as Headlong Hall (1815), Nightmare Abbey (1818) and Crotchet Castle (1831), feature eccentric characters who debate contemporary issues, blending humor with critique. Peacock was a close friend of Percy Bysshe Shelley, whose Romantic ideals he gently mocked in his works.