Here are some facts about William Wordsworth.
- William Wordsworth was one of the most important of the Romantic poets, and introduced a new poetry style. The Romantic Movement in arts and literature was a reaction to the Industrial Revolution.
- He was born in the Lake District, in April, 1770 where he lived most of his life.
- He published his first poem at 17, was educated at Cambridge and spent summer holidays walking in the Alps.
- Wordsworth visited France in 1791 and became a supporter of the Republicans. He also lived in Germany for a short time, although he complained of the cold and of being homesick.
- Wordsworth’s best known poem is probably Daffodils. It has been voted Britain’s 5th favourite poem, has been released in a rap version, and has been recited by 150,000 children at once.
- During the 1790s, William Wordsworth produced a collection of poetry, called the Lyrical Ballads. He tried to use everyday language so the poems would appeal to ordinary people.
- His greatest work is The Prelude, an autobiographical poem written in 1798 in blank verse. The 14 books of the work also focus on a love of nature and the outdoors.
- In 1796, William Wordsworth wrote his only play, which was turned down by a London theatre. It was called The Borderers and was a tragedy set during King Henry III’s reign.
- Wordsworth’s sister, Dorothy, was also a well known poet and author.
- Comic Mike Myers is a relative of Wordsworth – he is the poet’s first cousin, 7 times removed.
- He became Poet Laureate in 1843, although wrote no poetry after being given the title. He also received an honorary degree from Oxford University in 1838.
- William Wordsworth died in April 1850 from a disease of the lungs. He is buried in a churchyard in Grasmere and his family home at Dove Cottage is now a museum.
