Coleridge

by Walter Jackson Bate

Bate, Walter Jackson

Genres: Biography

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

Literary critic Walter Jackson Bate twice won the Pulitzer Prize for Biography, first for his work on the Romantic poet John Keats, and later for that on lexicographer Dr. Samuel Johnson.

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first met Bate as an undergraduate; he was editor of the text my literary criticism prof had chosen.And I have been glad to have made his acquaintance. I own his wonderful biography of Dr. Samuel Johnson as well.
I met, as most kids do, Coleridge in high school with his poem, "The Ancient Mariner", one of his corkers. He has about six corkers, masterpieces all, and a bunch of lesser poetry. I re-acquainted myself with him again as an undergraduate, studying he and Wordsworth in England. A fascinating man, and a fascinating mind. More than a poet: he was a philosopher and an astute critic. All these aspects of STC's life and mind are covered in this concise biography. And very well. I was seeking a short bio, in contrast to Holmes' magisterial and multi-volume biography, as good as it is. Bates' book fit the bill nicely. Recommended.