This article provides a biography of writer, Thomas Chatterton (1752-1770). Chatterton came from a poor family, & shortly before his death he went to London to try to make a living as a writer. Publications were not accepted much at the time, & he was almost starving. He had too much pride to return home. Three months before his 18th birthay, he poisoned himself with arsenic. The author analyzes possible reasons for his suicide. (VM)