William Wordsworth was born on April 7, 1770 in Cockermouth, which is located in Cumbria, England. William was orphaned when his father passed away in 1783, and he was sent to live with family members. Over the next several years, Wordsworth would continue his education and travel extensively throughout Europe. William and Dorothy eventually reunited and moved into Dove Cottage in Grasmere. From this point, Wordsworth's life quickly changed as he married long-time family friend Mary Hutchinson and had 5 children in quick session. Dorothy, William, Mary, and their children would move several times before they came to live in their final home at Rydal Mount in 1813. At this home, William would continue writing (not to the degree that he did while living at Dove Cottage), raise his family (2 children died before moving to Rydal Mount), become a distributor of Stamps (postmaster), and awarded the distinction of Poet Laureate in 1843. William would die in 1850 at the age of 80. Wordsworth's final resting place is in the family burial spot in the cemetery at Oswald's Church in Grasmere. He and Mary are buried together in the same spot with minimal headstone inscription. They are flanked by John, William's brother, on the left and Dora, their daughter, on the right. The two headstones with the most intricate carvings and inscriptions border William and Mary's spot. The order could suggests his overt fondness and love of John and Dora.
Wordsworth as a writer...
Wordsworth is credited(along with Samuel Taylor Coleridge) with launching the Romantic period in English literature. Some of his most famous works are Lyrical Ballads, Guide to the Lakes, and The Prelude. Although William had published many of his poems well before he moved to Grasmere, his popularity did not explode until he published Lyrical Ballads in 1798. Lyrical Ballads would go on to be re-released two more times, 1800 and 1802. The Guide to the Lakes was initially published in 1810 and would see four more editions between then and 1835. The final version of The Prelude, which many scholars consider his masterpiece, was released three months after his death in 1850. Wordsworth's life was both long and prolific. He was always surrounded by family and friends that often provided him with the inspiration and support he needed in his life.
Wordsworth as a writer...
Wordsworth is credited(along with Samuel Taylor Coleridge) with launching the Romantic period in English literature. Some of his most famous works are Lyrical Ballads, Guide to the Lakes, and The Prelude. Although William had published many of his poems well before he moved to Grasmere, his popularity did not explode until he published Lyrical Ballads in 1798. Lyrical Ballads would go on to be re-released two more times, 1800 and 1802. The Guide to the Lakes was initially published in 1810 and would see four more editions between then and 1835. The final version of The Prelude, which many scholars consider his masterpiece, was released three months after his death in 1850. Wordsworth's life was both long and prolific. He was always surrounded by family and friends that often provided him with the inspiration and support he needed in his life.
She Dwelt among the Untrodden Ways
BY WILLIAM WORDSWORTH
She dwelt among the untrodden ways
Beside the springs of Dove,
A Maid whom there were none to praise
And very few to love:
A violet by a mossy stone
Half hidden from the eye!
—Fair as a star, when only one
Is shining in the sky.
She lived unknown, and few could know
When Lucy ceased to be;
But she is in her grave, and, oh,
The difference to me!
BY WILLIAM WORDSWORTH
She dwelt among the untrodden ways
Beside the springs of Dove,
A Maid whom there were none to praise
And very few to love:
A violet by a mossy stone
Half hidden from the eye!
—Fair as a star, when only one
Is shining in the sky.
She lived unknown, and few could know
When Lucy ceased to be;
But she is in her grave, and, oh,
The difference to me!