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Robert SoutheyEnglish poet
Date of Birth: 12.08.1774
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
Biography of Robert Southey
Robert Southey was an English poet and writer, associated with the close circle of William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge. He attended Westminster School and Balliol College, Oxford University. In 1794, he met Coleridge, and their plan to establish an ideal community called Pantisocracy in Pennsylvania, USA, did not materialize due to lack of funds. On November 14, 1795, Southey entered into a secret marriage with Edith Fricker. At the invitation of his uncle, he visited Portugal twice (1795-1796; 1800-1801). In 1796, Southey gained fame by publishing the poem "Joan of Arc". After starting to study law in 1797, he soon lost interest in the profession and turned to literary work. In 1803, Southey moved from Bristol to Keswick, where he spent the remaining 40 years of his life, surrounded by family (four out of his eight children died) and friends, occasionally visiting London and Europe.
Early Fame and Poetry
Southey's early fame came from his poetry, including the poems "Joan of Arc", "Thalaba" (1801), "Madoc" (1805), "The Curse of Kehama" (1810), and "Roderick" (1814), as well as occasional humorous and grotesque ballads. Over time, he transitioned to prose, writing historical works and biographies. The best received among them was "The Life of Nelson" (1813). Southey's main source of income was literary criticism, and his insightful reviews greatly contributed to the success of "The Quarterly Review". During his lifetime, Southey published 55 books. In 1813, he became the Poet Laureate. He declined a baronetcy in 1835 but accepted a pension of £300, which was arranged for him.
Overall, Robert Southey was a prolific and influential English poet and writer, known for his diverse literary works, including poetry, prose, and criticism. He left a lasting impact on the literary landscape of his time.
