William Hickey (1) (1749–1830)

This is the memoir of the prodigal and profligate William Hickey. Scion of a respectable Irish Catholic family living in London, he was the despair of his father. The spendthrift William never missed a party or failed to woo a woman. Given an excellent education, it shows in the remarkable narrative of his life. After numerous career mishaps and parental disownings, he finally made his fortune in India. His detailed descriptions of parties, clothes, personal relationships, and treatments for show more the afflictions of Venus are so compelling one can hardly put down the book. Hickey was blessed with what is now known as Emotional I.Q. He had the ability to weather every adversity and no matter how great an offense his naughty behavior gave, he was always forgiven due to his lovable and generous nature. The party boy of his age, William Hickey was great fun. show less

If you want an insight into the life of a late 18 century English gentleman, this is the book for you.
Hickey is educated at Westminster school, travels to India, China and Jamaica,all the while regaling the reader with amusing and often very non pc stories of his adventures.
I've had a long interest in the period, and these memoirs really allow you to get into the mind of someone who lived through an exciting time in English history.
For me on a par with Boswell.
Strongly recommended

Very frank autobiography, written in old age, of a young rake who went out to India and lived to become a successful lawyer.

Edited By Hudson, Roger With Engravings By Lawrence, John