Thomas Norton Longman (1771–1842): Senior partner in a long-established and prestigious firm of London publishers. Southey began publishing with Longman and his partners in 1799 and their association continued until his final collection, Poetical Works (1837–1838). Southey often jokingly referred to the firm as ‘the Long Men’ or ‘Our Fathers’ (since their premises were in Paternoster Row). He also nicknamed Longman ‘Artaxerxes’ (465–424 BC) and ‘the King of Persia’ because the Persian emperor had been named Longimanus by the Romans.

John Gibson Lockhart (1794–1854): Scottish writer. He made his reputation through his contributions to Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine from 1817 onwards and became Walter Scott’s son-in-law in 1820. He was editor of the Quarterly Review 1825–1853 and completed a monumental Life of Sir Walter Scott (1837–1838). Southey corresponded with him intermittently on professional matters.

Eleanor Mary Elizabeth Locker (née Boucher; 1793–1861). She was the daughter of Jonathan Boucher (1738–1804), an English clergyman who worked in Virginia 1759-1775 and became a friend of George Washington. She married Edward Hawke Locker in 1815.

Edward Hawke Locker (1777–1849): Locker initially held a number of administrative posts in the Navy, concluding his career as private secretary to Lord Exmouth (1757–1833; DNB) during the latter’s time as commander in the Mediterranean, 1811–1814. Southey first wrote to Locker in search of information for his History of the Peninsular War (1823–1832), but the two shared many interests and the correspondence continued.

See Pemberton, Sophia (d. 1830)

Charles Lloyd, Senior (1748–1828): Quaker banker and translator of Homer. Father of Charles Lloyd.

Charles Lloyd (1775–1839): Poet. Eldest child of Charles, a wealthy Quaker banker, and his wife Mary. He matriculated at Caius College, Cambridge in 1798 but did not take his degree. He married Sophia Pemberton in 1799 and they moved to Ambleside in 1800.

See Eleanor Charlotte Butler (1739–1829) and Sarah Ponsonby (1755–1832)

Edward Littleton, 4th Baronet (1726–1812): Of Penkridge, Staffordshire. He lived at Teddesley Hall, where Mary Barker resided as his companion. Littleton was MP for Staffordshire from 1784 to 1812. Mary Barker’s brother-in-law, William Brewe (dates unknown), was his steward.

Nicholas Lightfoot (c. 1771/2–1847): Clergyman and schoolmaster. Son of Nicholas Lightfoot of Moretonhampstead, Devon. Educated at Balliol College, Oxford (matric. 1790, BA 1794). Perpetual curate for Churcheton, Devon from 1795 and Rector of Stockleigh Pomeroy from 1831–1847. Southey met Lightfoot at Balliol and their friendship endured until his death. Southey briefly considered sending his brother Edward Southey to be educated by Lightfoot and in later life stayed with him during visits to the south west of England.