The Poems of William Cowper: Volume II: 1782-1785

by William Cowper, John D. Baird (Editor), Charles Ryskamp (Editor)

These volumes complete the Oxford English Texts edition of Cowper's poems, and include most of his finest works, from such frequently anthologized short poems as "The Poplar-Field" and "The Retired Cat" to such longer works as "The Cast-Away." Volume II also contains his masterpiece, The Task : a reflection on his own life and the England of his day, and one of the most approachable of the great English poems.

484 pages, Hardcover

Published January 25, 1996

About the author

The Task , best-known work of William Cowper, British poet, considered a precursor of romanticism, in 1785 praises rural life and leisure.

William Cowper served as an English hymnodist. Cowper, one most popular man of his time, wrote of everyday nature scenes of the English countryside and thus changed the direction of 18th century. In many ways, he foreran later authors. Samuel Taylor Coleridge called him "modern," whilst William Wordsworth particularly admired Yardley-Oak . He a nephew of Judith Madan.

From severe manic depression, Cowper suffered, found refuge in a fervent evangelical Christianity, the inspiration behind his much-loved hymns, often experienced doubt, and feared doom to eternal damnation. His religious sentiment and association with John Newton (who wrote Amazing Grace , the hymn) led to much memorable writing.

Reviews

[Athiene · Rating 4 out of 5]

helpful for diss! gonna be a primary text. wasnt as long as i thought (thank god). It works well with my other two, happy about that.