Biography of William Wordsworth by Lisa Abraham, Professor of English at Brunel University.
William Wordsworth is widely regarded as one of the most important poets in English literature, celebrated for his love of nature and his ability to capture its beauty in verse. Born in the picturesque Lake District of England in 1770, Wordsworth’s works revolutionized poetry in the 19th century. His most famous collection, Lyrical Ballads, co-authored with Samuel Taylor Coleridge, was the cornerstone of the Romantic movement, a literary revolution that embraced emotion, imagination, and the beauty of the natural world. His life and works left a lasting legacy, making him a symbol of nature’s profound influence on the human spirit.
This biography will explore the life of William Wordsworth, from his early days in the English countryside to his later years as a Poet Laureate, capturing the essence of a man whose words continue to inspire and resonate today.
Early Life and Family
William Wordsworth was born on April 7, 1770, in Cockermouth, a small market town nestled in the Lake District, a region famous for its rugged landscapes and serene beauty. He was the second of five children in his family. His father, John Wordsworth, was a legal representative for a nobleman, and his mother, Ann Cookson Wordsworth, provided a warm and nurturing home for the children.
Wordsworth’s childhood was deeply influenced by the natural surroundings of the Lake District. He spent his early years exploring the rivers, mountains, and valleys that would later inspire much of his poetry. His love for nature developed during this time, and he would often wander through the countryside, observing the beauty of the changing seasons and the tranquility of rural life.
However, tragedy struck early in Wordsworth’s life. His mother died when he was only eight years old, a loss that deeply affected him. Then, five years later, his father passed away, leaving the Wordsworth children orphaned. Despite the sorrow and instability, Wordsworth continued his education, attending Hawkshead Grammar School in the nearby village of Hawkshead, where he found solace in literature and the natural world.
Education and Influences
After completing his studies at Hawkshead, Wordsworth enrolled at St. John’s College, Cambridge, in 1787. While at university, Wordsworth was not particularly interested in the academic life. Instead, he preferred to travel and immerse himself in nature. During his vacations, he would return to the Lake District or visit other parts of England, including the mountains of North Wales.
One of the most formative experiences of Wordsworth’s life was his walking tour of France in 1790. This trip exposed him to the excitement and ideals of the French Revolution. Wordsworth was initially captivated by the revolution’s promise of liberty, equality, and fraternity. However, as the revolution turned violent and led to the Reign of Terror, Wordsworth became disillusioned with its ideals. These experiences in France would later influence his poetry, as he grappled with themes of politics, morality, and human nature.
Wordsworth’s early works were inspired by the political and social upheavals he witnessed, but his true passion lay in exploring the beauty and significance of nature. His poetry often expressed a deep reverence for the natural world, as well as a belief that nature had the power to heal and nurture the human soul.
Friendship with Samuel Taylor Coleridge and the Birth of Romanticism
One of the most significant relationships in Wordsworth’s life was his friendship with fellow poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge. The two poets met in 1795, and their collaboration would become one of the most important partnerships in literary history. Together, they developed the foundation of the Romantic movement, which emphasized emotion, imagination, and the sublime beauty of nature, as opposed to the rationalism and formality of earlier literary traditions.
In 1798, Wordsworth and Coleridge published Lyrical Ballads, a collection of poems that is considered the starting point of the Romantic movement. The book was revolutionary for its time, as it rejected the highly structured forms of neoclassical poetry and embraced simple language and everyday subjects. Wordsworth’s preface to the second edition of Lyrical Ballads laid out his poetic philosophy, in which he argued that poetry should be “the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings” and should be grounded in the ordinary experiences of life.
Among the most famous poems in Lyrical Ballads is “Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey,” in which Wordsworth reflects on the restorative power of nature. In this poem, he describes how his appreciation for nature has deepened over time, and how the memory of nature’s beauty has sustained him during difficult periods of his life. This theme of nature’s ability to nurture the soul would become a central focus of Wordsworth’s poetry.
Personal Life and Return to the Lake District
In 1802, Wordsworth’s life took a significant turn when he married his childhood friend Mary Hutchinson. Their marriage was a happy one, and they would go on to have five children together. Despite the joys of family life, Wordsworth’s personal life was marked by tragedy. His younger brother, John, who was a sea captain, died in a shipwreck in 1805, and later, two of his children died in infancy.
Amidst these personal challenges, Wordsworth returned to his beloved Lake District, settling in a house called Dove Cottage in the village of Grasmere. It was here, surrounded by the beauty of the natural world that had always inspired him, that Wordsworth wrote some of his greatest poetry. His experiences in Grasmere, along with his deepening connection to his family and nature, shaped his later works, which often reflected a sense of peace and spiritual fulfillment.
Wordsworth’s poetry from this period reveals his deepening understanding of nature as a source of wisdom and solace. His famous poem “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud,” also known as “Daffodils,” captures the joy and serenity he found in the natural world. In this poem, Wordsworth describes how a field of golden daffodils filled him with happiness and how the memory of that scene continued to uplift him long after the moment had passed.
The Prelude and Later Works
One of Wordsworth’s most significant works, The Prelude, was a long autobiographical poem that he worked on for most of his life. Though it was not published until after his death, The Prelude is considered one of his greatest achievements. In it, Wordsworth reflects on his own life, his relationship with nature, and the development of his poetic mind. The poem is both a personal history and a philosophical exploration of how nature and the human mind interact.
The Prelude is often described as a spiritual journey, as Wordsworth charts his growth from a young boy exploring the natural world to a mature poet contemplating the deeper meaning of life. The poem’s introspective nature and its emphasis on the transformative power of nature make it one of the defining works of the Romantic era.
In addition to The Prelude, Wordsworth continued to write poetry throughout his life. Some of his later works, such as Ode: Intimations of Immortality from Early Childhood, reflect his growing interest in themes of memory, loss, and the passage of time. These poems convey a sense of nostalgia for the innocence and wonder of childhood, while also acknowledging the inevitable process of aging and change.
Poet Laureate and Later Years
In 1843, Wordsworth was appointed Poet Laureate of England, an honorary position that recognized his contributions to English literature. Although he wrote little poetry during his time as Poet Laureate, the appointment was a testament to his stature as one of the most important poets of his time. By this point, Wordsworth had become a national figure, admired for his ability to capture the beauty and power of the natural world in his poetry.
In his later years, Wordsworth enjoyed a quiet and peaceful life in the Lake District, where he continued to draw inspiration from the landscapes that had shaped his poetry. He remained deeply committed to his family and to the values of simplicity and connection with nature that had always defined his life and work.
William Wordsworth died on April 23, 1850, at the age of 80, at his home in Rydal Mount in the Lake District. His death marked the end of an era, but his influence on poetry and literature has endured. His works continue to be studied and celebrated, and his belief in the healing power of nature remains as relevant today as it was during his lifetime.
Legacy and Influence
William Wordsworth’s legacy is vast and enduring. As one of the founders of the Romantic movement, he helped to redefine poetry, shifting its focus from the intellectual and artificial to the emotional and natural. His belief that poetry should be accessible to everyone, and that the everyday experiences of life were worthy of artistic expression, opened up new possibilities for writers and readers alike.
Wordsworth’s exploration of nature as a source of spiritual insight has resonated with generations of readers. His ability to capture the beauty and mystery of the natural world, as well as his deep reverence for its power, has made him one of the most beloved poets in English literature.
In today’s world, where concerns about the environment and the relationship between humans and nature are more pressing than ever, Wordsworth’s poetry continues to offer profound insights into the importance of preserving and appreciating the natural world. His belief that nature has the power to inspire, heal, and uplift the human spirit remains as relevant as ever.
As we look back on the life and work of William Wordsworth, we are reminded of the enduring power of poetry to connect us with the beauty of the world around us, and to help us find meaning and solace in the rhythms of nature.
Biography of William Wordsworth by Lisa Abraham, Professor of English at Brunel University.
