Early Life
William Wordsworth was born on April 7, 1770 in Cockermouth, England. His father was a lawyer and his mother was a homemaker. His mother, who was a major influence on his life, died when he was 8, leaving him feeling lost and lonely. Growing up he attended school in Hawkshead, then St. John’s College in Cambridge, going on to become a lawyer himself. His love of nature, however, led him to pursue writing poetry instead.
Love of Nature
Wordsworth was influenced by the romantic movement, particularly a poet called Samuel Taylor Coleridge. This movement combined love of nature and emotion, so he used the Lake District as his inspiration. He also took a number of long walking trips, also known as Grand Tours, which inspired many of his early works.
Start of Writing
Wordsworth began writing poetry when he was 17 in 1787, creating works such as ‘An Evening Walk’, ‘Descriptive Sketches’ and ‘Salisbury Plains’. His first collection of poetry, An Evening Walk and Other Poems was published in 1793. Although it wasn’t a success, it marked the start of his writing career.
Writings of his Work
Wordsworth’s earliest works focused heavily on nature, but he later developed his writing to take on a more philosophical tone. His most famous works include ‘Lines Written a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey’, ‘The Prelude’ and ‘The Excursion’. He also wrote many odes, such as ‘Ode: Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood’.
Accolades and Contributions
William Wordsworth received numerous awards and accolades in his lifetime and after his death, with some of his works being unearthed and recognized long after his death. He was also a great contributor to the English language, with many of his phrases still being used today. He won the Gold Medal for Poetry in the same year he published his first book and was also given a pension by the British government to continue writing.
Legacy
William Wordsworth had a lasting impact on poetry and literature. He is known as one of the ‘big six’, who are considered the greatest English Romantic poets. His works are still studied and praised today, with many films and plays based on his poetry. He is recognized for his influence on the romantic movement, which focused on the idea of nature being a source of transcendent truth. His writing is considered timeless, with a modern and contemporary feel that still resonates with readers today.
Style of Writing
William Wordsworth’s writing style focused heavily on the beauty and simplicity of the natural world. His language was plain and unassuming, but still held a deep wisdom. He strove to capture moments, feelings, and experiences that were universal without being abstract, in order to bring out the beauty of nature. His writing was often filled with strong emotion and vivid descriptions, which has had a major influence on subsequent poets.
Method of Writing
William Wordsworth was known to write his poems in an organic style, allowing them to take shape as they were being written. He often wrote, changed, and rewrote his works to make them perfect, sometimes taking several drafts. He stocked away and reused any fragment of writing until he needed it in a poem and was known to break language boundaries and blend together his thoughts, images and emotions.
Inspiration
William Wordsworth often drew on his memories and experiences when writing, creating vivid memories and nostalgia for the reader. He also drew on the works of other poets, particularly John Milton, for inspiration. He was also influenced by the historical and political events of his day, such as the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars.
Impact
William Wordsworth’s poetry has had a huge influence on English literature and language. He is credited for reviving the English lyric tradition and for his focus on the beauty and power of the natural world. His works were widely read and admired during his lifetime and continue to be read and studied today. He is remembered for his ability to convey intense emotion in a few well-crafted sentences, making his works timeless and truly memorable.
Connection with Nature
William Wordsworth was able to form a strong emotional connection with nature, something that can be seen in his works. He often visited the Lake District in northern England, where he was able to find solace and draw inspiration. He also took long walking trips to escape the noise of the city and to find his inner thoughts – something he believed was deeply connected to nature.
Social Commentary
William Wordsworth became a voice for the common man and his values were deeply linked to the French Revolution of 1789. He wrote about how the powerless could impact political change, something that ran through many of his works. Although he was more conservative than some of the other Romantic authors, he still pushed for social reform with his writing.
