William Lisle Bowles (September 24, 1762 - April 7, 1850) stands as one of the more intriguing transitional figures in English literature, occupying the liminal space between Neoclassicism and Romanticism. Though his reputation has diminished considerably over the centuries, Bowles's influence on major Romantic poets—particularly Samuel Taylor Coleridge—establishes him as a crucial bridge between literary eras. As a…
“I confined myself to fourteen lines, because fourteen lines seemed best adapted to unity of sentiment.”
Neighbourhood:
Death & Mortality, Devotional Poets, Love Poets, Nature Poets, Romantic Poets
Emotional landscape: Longing, Sorrow, Spirituality
Robert Southey was born in Bristol on 12 August 1774 and died at Greta Hall, near Keswick in the Lake District, on 21 March 1843. During his lifetime he was among the most visible men of letters in Britain: a poet, historian, biographer, reviewer, editor, translator, political commentator, children’s writer, and, from 1813 until his death, Poet Laureate. Yet posterity has treated him unevenly. He is often remembered…
“He was altogether a good Cat, affectionate, vigilant, and brave; and for services performed against the Rats was deservedly raised in succession to the rank of Baron, Viscount and Earl.”
Neighbourhood:
Hymn Writers, Nature Poets, Political Poets, Romantic Poets
Emotional landscape: Sorrow, Irony, Wonder
