Edward Gibbon was born on the 8th of May 1737 in Putney, Surrey. He spent his early years as a sickly infant who described himself as neglected by his mother and starved by his nurse.
The idea for the work originated when Edward Gibbon sat musing amidst the ruins of the Capitol in Rome on the 15th of October 1764. This moment became known as his Capitoline vision after barefooted friars sang vespers in the temple of Jupiter.
Edward Gibbon earned approximately £9000 total from the publication of his history. He received about £1000 from three editions of the first volume published on the 17th of February 1776 and sold copyrights for remaining volumes to publishers Strahan & Cadell for £8000.
Chapters XV and XVI contained Edward Gibbon's most caustic views regarding Christianity and Judaism which led to severe backlash from figures like Joseph Priestley and Richard Watson. His apparent antagonism toward Christian doctrine spilled over into hostility toward Judaism resulting in charges of anti-Semitism.
Edward Gibbon died at twelve forty-five pm on the 16th of January 1794 while staying with Lord Sheffield in Fletching East Sussex. He was buried in the Sheffield Mausoleum attached to the north transept of Church of St Mary and St Andrew.