BRUMMEL, George Bryan (aBEAu.Bsum Amp), English dandy: b. London 1778; d. Caen, 29 March 1840. He was educated at Eton and Oxford, at both of which places he acquired great distinction by his taste in dress, which afterward made him the autocrat in the world of fashion. At the age of 16 he casually made the acquaintance of the Prince of Wales, afterward George IV, who conceived a par ticular fancy for him and made him a cornet in his own regiment, the 10th Hussars. Brummel was now introduced into the most aristocratic society in England, and through the favor of the Prince had rapid promotion in the army, though his carelessness was such that he often did not know his own troop. The death of his father in 1794 put him in possession of a for tune of f30,000, which he expended in a course of sumptuous living, extending over a period of 21 years, during which his dicta on matters of etiquette and dress were received in the beau monde as indisputable. He kept a mag nificent bachelor establishment, gave splendid dinners and basked in all the sunshine that youth, money and princely favor could bestow.
But the fickle temper of the Prince Regent at last tired of Brummel and an estrangement took place. The beau's creditors now began to be clamorous and in 1814 he crossed the Channel to Calais, where he resided for many years, partly supported by the remains of his own fortune and partly by remittances from friends in England. In 1824, when George IV passed through Calais on his way to Hanover. Brummel ventured again to address himself to him, but was unceremoniously repulsed. Sub sequently to this he was appointed consul at Caen, but after holding this office for a few years it was abolished as unnecessary, and he was reduced to absolute poverty. His mind, too, gave way, and he died in the Asylum du Bon Sauveur, in Caen, France. Bulwer's 'Pel ham' is said to be founded on Brummel's life. Consult Jesse, 'Life of George Brummel, Esq.' (new ed., London 1885), and Boutel de Mon vel, 'Beau Brummel and His Times.>