POETRY.COM.AU - The Internet Poetry Archive


William Wordsworth

(1770-1850)


Poetry


 

Biography

Venerated poet, William Wordsworth was an ardent lover of nature and one of the forefathers of the Romanticism movement. Born on April 7, 1770, in Cockermouth, England, Wordsworth would go on to revolutionize the world of poetry with his vivid imagination and deep appreciation for the natural world.

Wordsworth's early years were marked by a series of personal losses, including the untimely passing of his mother and father. These experiences, along with his time spent studying at St. John's College, Cambridge, and his travels through Europe, would profoundly shape his poetic sensibilities and inspire some of his most celebrated works.

As a poet, Wordsworth's oeuvre is characterized by its focus on nature, emotion, and the power of the imagination. Together with his close friend and fellow poet, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Wordsworth co-authored the groundbreaking collection "Lyrical Ballads" (1798), which introduced the world to a new kind of poetry—one that celebrated the beauty of everyday life and the human experience. Among his most famous poems are "Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey," "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud," and "The Prelude," a semi-autobiographical work that delves into the development of his poetic mind.

In addition to his contributions to poetry, Wordsworth played an active role in the literary community of his time. He was a founding member of the Romantic movement, which sought to elevate the emotional and imaginative aspects of art and literature, and his work influenced a generation of poets, including John Keats, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and Lord Byron.

William Wordsworth's life and work serve as a testament to the power of poetry to illuminate the human experience and forge a deep connection with the natural world. His revolutionary approach to verse continues to inspire readers and writers alike, cementing his place as a true luminary of English literature.

Poetry.com.au


<   Back   |    Poetry Archive Home   |    More Classical Masters   >

This site and all contents (except individual poetic works) are copyright 2000-2024 Curiosity Cave Pty Ltd.
All rights reserved. Read our privacy policy here.