Twenty-stone Ben Jonson was a big man with a big appetite for drink; drink that transformed both his life and work

The great man of letters Charles Lamb was naturally shy — wine allowed him to shine on conversation. Sometimes, though, he would overindulge

We asked our readers to come up with a cocktail recipe that best reflects Western civilisation. The winning drink is both fortifying and delicious

The writer and critic who inspired this column, George Saintsbury, lived for pleasure: reading, women and, of course, fine wine