The quality of doubt ...

... Tennyson and the real Arthur Hallam.

...Hallam’s main benefit to mankind was through his posthumous influence. Not only was he the moving force behind In Memoriam, but the rest of his social circle could find comfort in rewriting his story as a tragedy of unfulfilled promise. For friends like Gladstone, his death may even have been something of a relief. Having spent the previous few years mourning a friendship that faded after Hallam left Eton for Cambridge, there was now nothing to prevent him from polishing up his memories like jewels.