At the age of twelve, Thomas Chatterton (1752-1770) began writing poems in the style of the old manuscripts he came across in his uncle's church. Eventually he turned out a group of poems that he claimed were the work of a 15th century priest named Thomas Rowley. The poems attracted attention and praise.

Encouraged, Chatterton left for London at the age of 17, hoping to make it as a writer on his own terms. But four months later, unable to find work, he committed suicide by poisoning himself with arsenic. The Rowley poems were only recognized as forgeries when they were republished after Chatterton's death.