Why did Edward Gibbon’s formal schooling become irregular?

Edward Gibbon’s formal schooling was irregular primarily due to a series of persistent illnesses during his childhood that frequently interrupted his education.1

Throughout his early years, Gibbon suffered from poor health and nearly died on more than one occasion. These health struggles necessitated periods of recovery, including a trip to Bath and Winchester in 1750 in search of better health, which further disrupted his time at Westminster School. Following these interruptions, he spent two years under the care of tutors from whom he reportedly learned very little.1

It was not until the onset of puberty that his health improved significantly, allowing him to pursue his intellectual interests with greater consistency. During his periods of irregular schooling, Gibbon became an omnivorous reader, largely fostering his own education through solitary study and access to private libraries.1