Beau Brummell (born George Bryan Brummell) was perhaps the “it” celebrity of the Regency era. He was described as a great dandy, which means a man who places particular importance on physical appearance, refined language, and leisurely hobbies, paired with the appearance of nonchalance.

 

He was not a flamboyant character but rather strived for perfection. He influenced male fashions of the time, in particular to do with the way he tied his cravat.  He is quoted as saying “I have no talents other than to dress; my genius is in the wearing of clothes.” Rather than overly extravagant clothes, he went for understated tailored bespoke garments and claimed it took him five hours to get dressed every day.

 

He was born in 1778, and was surprisingly not of aristocratic birth, despite his later high social position, but the youngest son of the private secretary to Lord North, prime minister (1770 – 1782). He was however educated at top school Eton, where he became known as Buck and was extremely popular. He also spent a short period at Oriel College at Oxford before quitting aged 16 following his father’s death.

 

Thanks to his wit he came to be constantly in the Prince Regent’s company, having met the Prince at Eton. The Prince Regent obtained him an appointment in his regiment in 1794, and Brummell subsequently was promoted to lieutenant a year later and then Captain the following year. 

 

Being close with the Prince Regent and a bit of a perfectionist with his appearance (despite having a crooked nose from a horse riding accident), Brummell became something to strive for in male dress and appearance. His connections (as well as his appearance and wit) made him very influential and a man to know.

 

John Timbs, in English Eccentrics and Eccentricities, describes Brummell’s dress:

 

Brummel’s morning dress was similar to that of every other gentleman. Hessians and pantaloons, or top boots and buckskins, with a blue coat and a light or buff coloured waistcoat, of course, fitting to admiration on the best figure in England. His dress of an evening was a blue coat and white waistcoat, black pantaloons, which buttoned tight to the ankle, striped stockings and opera hat; in fact, he was always carefully dressed, but never the slave of fashion.

 

Brummel’s tailors were Schweitzer and Davidson in Cork Street, Weston, and a German of the name of Meyer who lived in Conduit Street. The trousers, which opened at the bottom of the leg, and were closed by buttons and loops, were invented either by Meyer or Brummel. Beau, at any rate, was the first who wore them, and they immediately became quite the fashion, and continued so for some years.

 

In 1798, Brummell retired from military service after his regiment was ordered to Manchester. Presumably he did not want to lose his close friendship with the Prince Regent. When his father died in 1794, his estate was left to be equally shared between his three children. The estate was valued at a grand sum of around £60,000!

 

Brummell came into his inheritance in 1799 when he was deemed of age. He moved to a London residence and became determined to be the best dressed man in London. During his first season in London in 1800, he acquired his nickname “Beau”. I think it is safe to assume that he achieved his goal!

 

Being highly influential in the ton, the fashionable elite, Brummell could dictate who could be given vouchers to enter Almack’s, popular Assembly Rooms for the ton. He was known for being flirtatious with a number of ladies, including the scandalous Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. However, he never married.

 

Despite being the Prince Regent’s favourite for years, he insulted the prince and quickly fell out of favour. He was known for being witty but his wit could border on rudeness, particularly when he asked “Who’s your fat friend?” referring to the Prince Regent.

 

Brummell led an extravagant lifestyle and was a bit of a gambler. In 1816, his debts were so great that he was forced to exile to France. He died in poverty and an insane asylum in France in 1840. Despite being a major figure of the time, his death seemed to be virtually unnoticed in England. Brummell died from syphilis, having developed a taste for prostitutes early in his life.

 

A popular figure of the time, there is no doubt that Jane Austen would have heard of Brummell, but would she have used him as inspiration for any of her characters?