William Wordsworth

1770-1850

Graveyard of St. Oswald's Church
 

In 1799 Wordsworth settled at Dove Cottage in Grasmere with his sister Dorothy. In 1802 he married Mary Hutchinson with whom he had attended infants' school. (Wordsworth had previously had an affair with Annette Vallon, while he was in France, and by whom he had a daughter.)

Wordsworth, who was born at Cockermouth, had a deep love of nature that was inspired by his rural childhood. In his long poem The Prelude - published in the year of his death - Wordsworth dealt with many of his magical early experiences.

In 1813 Wordsworth was appointed Distributor of Stamps for Westmorland. Then, in 1843, after the death of Robert Southey Wordsworth became Poet Laureate.  He originally refused the post  due to his advanced age but the Prime Minister, Robert Peel, assured him that no duties would be expected.

In 1845 Robert Browning wrote The Lost Leader about Wordsworth - accusing him of abandoning his radical political views in exchange for a 'handful of silver'.

Also buried in St. Oswald's churchyard are:-

Dorothy Wordsworth ( his sister), Mary Wordsworth (his wife), Catherine, Thomas and Dora Wordsworth ( his children), Sara Hutchinson (Mary's sister) and Hartley Coleridge (son of S.T. Coleridge) 

Grave of William Wordsworth
 

Wordsworth died at Rydal Mount in 1850 after catching a cold which turned into pleurisy. He died on the 23rd April (Shakespeare Day).  

There is also a monument to Wordsworth  in 'Poets' Corner', Westminster Abbey, London.

See also allusion, Lake Poets, romanticism and 'Poets on Poetry'.

Links:

Read more of Wordsworth's poetry

The Wordsworth Trust