He finally began the project after their son Percy Florence Shelley also asked him to write a full account of his father's life.

Shelley's sisters Helen and Margaret also contributed accounts of childhood memories involving their brother.

[3] Hogg was known for the strength and clarity of his memory, and was able to recall minor details from the time that he spent with Shelley.

[6] The text of Shelley at Oxford was included in the work, and comprised roughly one sixth of the final document.

He made most of the changes to cover up his own youthful radicalism and his romantic pursuit of Percy's sister Elizabeth.

The original text of many of the letters shows that Hogg was often unstable and relied on Percy Shelley for guidance.

The book contained many descriptions of Shelley breaking appointments, borrowing money that he could not repay, and fabricating odd stories.

[11] Hogg did not mention the atheism that he shared with Percy Shelley, fearing the effect that this disclosure could have on his reputation.

[2] Critics viewed his larger work as often digressive and full of tangents, and some lamented the significant amount of space that Hogg devoted to describing the meals that they ate together.