write a biography of William Wordsworth with references
William Wordsworth (1770-1850) was a renowned English poet and a key figure in the Romantic literary movement of the 19th century, whose philosophical poems have been viewed as some of the most influential in history. Born on April 7, 1770, in Cockermouth, Cumberland, England, Wordsworth displayed an early affinity for nature and literature. His father's death when Wordsworth was just eight years old had a profound impact on his life and contributed to his intense introspection.
Wordsworth attended Hawkshead Grammar School, where he developed a love for poetry and the works of classical authors. In 1787, he entered St. John's College, Cambridge, where he befriended Samuel Taylor Coleridge, a fellow poet who would become a close associate and collaborator in the future, but during his university years he struggled to keep up with academic standards before he graduated without honours.
In 1790 Wordsworth left for France, and for the next decade he lived both in London and Paris. Importantly, he was in Paris for the French Revolution before returning to London at the birth of his daughter, Anne-Caroline, in 1792.
During 1797 and his period at Racedown, Wordsworth discovered his poet voice and themes. There he re-examined his opinions and ideological standpoint. At this stage his close friendship with Samuel Taylor Coleridge flowered and soon Coleridge believed that Wordsworth would become the greatest philosphical poet in the language.
One of Wordsworth's most significant literary contributions was the publication of "Lyrical Ballads" in 1798, co-written with Coleridge. This groundbreaking collection marked the beginning of the Romantic era in English literature and introduced the idea of poetry focusing on ordinary people and everyday language. The most famous poem from this collection is Wordsworth's "Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey," which reflects his deep connection to nature and the spiritual power it holds.
Wordsworth's poetry is characterized by its celebration of nature, emphasis on emotion and personal experience, and rejection of the formal and artificial conventions of the time. He believed that nature had a profound impact on the human mind and soul, and his works often explore the sublime beauty of the natural world. Wordsworth's best piece has often been recognised as being 'The Prelude'.
In 1802, Wordsworth married Mary Hutchinson, a childhood friend, and the couple had five children. The family settled in the Lake District, a region that greatly influenced Wordsworth's poetry. His most famous works include "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud," commonly known as "Daffodils," which vividly captures the beauty of nature and the emotional response it evokes.
Later in life, Wordsworth served as the Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom from 1843 until his death in 1850. His impact on English literature is immeasurable, and his contributions to the Romantic movement have left an enduring legacy. Wordsworth's emphasis on the transformative power of nature and his innovative use of language continue to influence poets and writers to this day.
References:
- Gill, Stephen. (1989). "William Wordsworth: A Life." Oxford University Press.
- Holmes, Richard. (2008). "The Age of Wonder: How the Romantic Generation Discovered the Beauty and Terror of Science." Pantheon Books.
- Wordsworth, William. (1798). "Lyrical Ballads, with a Few Other Poems." Published by J. & A. Arch.
Gill, Stephen, ‘Wordsworth, William (1770–1850)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, (Oxford University Press, 2004). [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/..., accessed 7 Sept 2007]