Charles Gough: A Romantic Martyr of the Lake District The story of Charles Gough is a haunting one, inextricably linked to the dramatic beauty and perilous landscapes of the English Lake District. Born in Manchester in 1784, Gough’s life was tragically cut short in April 1805 at the young age of twenty-one, leaving behind a legacy shrouded in mystery and romantic legend. While he achieved little recognition during his lifetime – a frustrating reality for an artist of considerable talent – Gough has since become enshrined as a symbol of the Romantic movement’s fascination with nature, risk,…