Algernon Charles Swinburne was an English poet, playwright, and novelist who lived in the 19th century. He was known for his lyrical and evocative poetry, which often explored themes of love, beauty, and sensuality. Swinburne was also a controversial figure due to his radical political views and his unconventional lifestyle. His work had a significant influence on the Symbolist movement in literature and on later poets such as Oscar Wilde and W.B. Yeats.