The Immortal Dinner: A Famous Evening of Genius and Laughter in Literary London, 1817On December 28, 1817, the eccentric painter B. R. Haydon gave a famous dinner party in his painting room in London. He invited, among others, three of the greatest literary lights of the age: the poets John Keats and William Wordsworth and the essayist and wit Charles Lamb. Over the course of a long winter evening of delights, the guests recited poetry, indulged in high minded conversation, and took part in ridiculous antics, with such displays of