William Wordsworth

Date of Birth: April 7, 1770

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: April 23, 1850

Biography

William Wordsworth was a seminal figure in the English Romantic movement, best known for his poetry that celebrated nature, emotion, and the human spirit. Born in Cockermouth, Cumberland, England, Wordsworth’s early life was marked by a deep appreciation for the natural world, fostered by his upbringing in the picturesque Lake District. He attended Hawkshead Grammar School and later St John’s College, Cambridge. Wordsworth’s literary career began in earnest with the publication of “Lyrical Ballads” in 1798, co-authored with Samuel Taylor Coleridge. This collection, which included Wordsworth’s famous poem “Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey,” is often credited with launching the Romantic Age in English literature. Throughout his life, Wordsworth was deeply influenced by his close relationship with his sister, Dorothy Wordsworth, who was also a poet and diarist. His major works include “The Prelude,” an autobiographical poem that he revised throughout his life, and “Ode: Intimations of Immortality,” which explores themes of memory and childhood. Wordsworth’s contributions to poetry were recognized in 1843 when he was appointed Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom, a position he held until his death in 1850. His work continues to be celebrated for its profound connection to nature and its introspective quality.

5 Interesting Facts about William Wordsworth

1. Wordsworth was deeply affected by the French Revolution, which influenced his early political views and poetry.

2. He was friends with fellow poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and their collaboration on “Lyrical Ballads” was pivotal in the Romantic literary movement.

3. Wordsworth was appointed Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom in 1843 and held the position until his death.

4. His poem “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud,” also known as “Daffodils,” is one of the most famous and frequently anthologized poems in the English language.

5. He had a lifelong friendship with fellow Romantic poet Robert Southey, and they were part of the “Lake Poets,” a group of writers who lived in the Lake District of England.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from William Wordsworth

1. “The world is too much with us; late and soon, Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers.”

2. “Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.”

3. “To begin, begin.”

4. “Nature never did betray the heart that loved her.”

5. “Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

As financial records from the 18th and 19th centuries are not as detailed as today, it is difficult to ascertain Wordsworth’s exact net worth. However, he was relatively comfortable in his later years, partly due to his appointment as the Poet Laureate and various government pensions.

Children

William Wordsworth had five children with his wife, Mary Hutchinson: 1. John Wordsworth (1803–1875) 2. Dora Wordsworth (1804–1847) 3. Thomas Wordsworth (1806–1812) 4. Catherine Wordsworth (1808–1812) 5. William Wordsworth (1810–1883)