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Posted on May 30, 2021
Biography of Alexander Pope, England's Most Quoted Poet
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On May 30, 1744, Alexander Pope, English poet, died at the age of 56.
From the article:
"Final Years and Legacy
After 1738, Pope mostly stopped producing new work. He began working on additions and revisions to the Dunciad, publishing a new “book” in 1742 and a complete revision in 1743. In the new version, Pope more clearly satirized and criticized Horace Walpole, a Whig politician who was in power and who Pope blamed for many of the problems in British society.
By that point, however, Pope’s lifelong poor health was catching up to him. He had suffered from chronic pain, respiratory problems, a hunchback, frequent high fevers, and other problems since childhood. In 1744, his doctor reassured him that he was improving, but Pope only made a joke and accepted his fate. He received the last rites of the Catholic Church on May 29, 1744 and died at his villa, surrounded by his friends, the following day. He was buried at St. Mary’s Church in Twickenham.
In the decades following his death, Pope’s poetry went out of fashion for a time. While Lord Byron cited Pope’s poetry as an inspiration, others, such as William Wordsworth, criticized it for being too elegant or decadent. However, in the 20th century, interest in Pope’s poetry had a resurgence, and his reputation was elevated along with this new wave of interest. In these recent decades, his reputation has rebounded to the point of being considered one of the greatest English poets of all time, thanks to his thoughtful, ever-quotable writing."
From the article:
"Final Years and Legacy
After 1738, Pope mostly stopped producing new work. He began working on additions and revisions to the Dunciad, publishing a new “book” in 1742 and a complete revision in 1743. In the new version, Pope more clearly satirized and criticized Horace Walpole, a Whig politician who was in power and who Pope blamed for many of the problems in British society.
By that point, however, Pope’s lifelong poor health was catching up to him. He had suffered from chronic pain, respiratory problems, a hunchback, frequent high fevers, and other problems since childhood. In 1744, his doctor reassured him that he was improving, but Pope only made a joke and accepted his fate. He received the last rites of the Catholic Church on May 29, 1744 and died at his villa, surrounded by his friends, the following day. He was buried at St. Mary’s Church in Twickenham.
In the decades following his death, Pope’s poetry went out of fashion for a time. While Lord Byron cited Pope’s poetry as an inspiration, others, such as William Wordsworth, criticized it for being too elegant or decadent. However, in the 20th century, interest in Pope’s poetry had a resurgence, and his reputation was elevated along with this new wave of interest. In these recent decades, his reputation has rebounded to the point of being considered one of the greatest English poets of all time, thanks to his thoughtful, ever-quotable writing."
Biography of Alexander Pope, England's Most Quoted Poet
Posted from thoughtco.com
World History
Literature
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Poetry
Death
Posted 3 y ago
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By Amanda Prahl
Updated August 29, 2019
Alexander Pope (May 21, 1688 – May 30, 1744) is one of the best-known and most-quoted poets in the English language. He specialized in satirical writing, which earned him some enemies but helped his witty language endure for centuries.
Fast Facts: Alexander Pope
Occupation: Poet, satirist, writer
Known For: Pope's poetry satirized English politics and society of the day, which earned him both admirers and enemies during a particularly turbulent era of British history. His writings have endured and made him one of the most quoted English writers, second only to Shakespeare.
Born: May 21, 1688 in London, England
Died: May 30, 1744 in Twickenham, Middlesex, England
Parents: Alexander Pope and Edith Turner
Notable Quote: "Teach me to feel another's woe, to hide the fault I see, that mercy I to others show, that mercy show to me."
Early Life
Pope was born into a Catholic family in London. His father, also named Alexander, was a successful linen merchant, and his mother, Edith, was from a middle class family. Pope’s early life coincided with major upheaval in England; the same year he was born, William and Mary deposed James II in the Glorious Revolution. Because of the severe restrictions on the public lives of Catholics, Pope was educated at Catholic schools in London that were technically illegal, but quietly tolerated.
When Pope was twelve, his family moved away from London to a village in Berkshire, due to laws forbidding Catholics to live within ten miles of London and a corresponding wave of anti-Catholic sentiment and action. Pope was unable to continue his formal education while living in the countryside, but instead taught himself by reading texts by classical authors and poetry in several languages. Pope’s health also further isolated him; he suffered from a form of spinal tuberculosis at the age of twelve that stunted his growth and left him with a hunchback, chronic pain, and respiratory problems.
Engraving of Alexander Pope in a coat and turban
Engraving of Alexander Pope, artist unknown. Georgios Art/Getty Images
Despite these struggles, Pope was introduced to the literary establishment as a young man, largely thanks to the mentorship of the poet John Caryll, who took Pope under his wing. William Walsh, a lesser-known poet, helped Pope revise his first major work, The Pastorals, and the Blount sisters, Teresa and Martha, became lifelong friends.
By Amanda Prahl
Updated August 29, 2019
Alexander Pope (May 21, 1688 – May 30, 1744) is one of the best-known and most-quoted poets in the English language. He specialized in satirical writing, which earned him some enemies but helped his witty language endure for centuries.
Fast Facts: Alexander Pope
Occupation: Poet, satirist, writer
Known For: Pope's poetry satirized English politics and society of the day, which earned him both admirers and enemies during a particularly turbulent era of British history. His writings have endured and made him one of the most quoted English writers, second only to Shakespeare.
Born: May 21, 1688 in London, England
Died: May 30, 1744 in Twickenham, Middlesex, England
Parents: Alexander Pope and Edith Turner
Notable Quote: "Teach me to feel another's woe, to hide the fault I see, that mercy I to others show, that mercy show to me."
Early Life
Pope was born into a Catholic family in London. His father, also named Alexander, was a successful linen merchant, and his mother, Edith, was from a middle class family. Pope’s early life coincided with major upheaval in England; the same year he was born, William and Mary deposed James II in the Glorious Revolution. Because of the severe restrictions on the public lives of Catholics, Pope was educated at Catholic schools in London that were technically illegal, but quietly tolerated.
When Pope was twelve, his family moved away from London to a village in Berkshire, due to laws forbidding Catholics to live within ten miles of London and a corresponding wave of anti-Catholic sentiment and action. Pope was unable to continue his formal education while living in the countryside, but instead taught himself by reading texts by classical authors and poetry in several languages. Pope’s health also further isolated him; he suffered from a form of spinal tuberculosis at the age of twelve that stunted his growth and left him with a hunchback, chronic pain, and respiratory problems.
Engraving of Alexander Pope in a coat and turban
Engraving of Alexander Pope, artist unknown. Georgios Art/Getty Images
Despite these struggles, Pope was introduced to the literary establishment as a young man, largely thanks to the mentorship of the poet John Caryll, who took Pope under his wing. William Walsh, a lesser-known poet, helped Pope revise his first major work, The Pastorals, and the Blount sisters, Teresa and Martha, became lifelong friends.
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SSG Samuel Kermon
Thank you for the expanded history of this poet. Have not read anything by him. Just don't read much poetry.
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SSG Samuel Kermon - I don't read much of anything either... but since being active on RP for four months I open the ones that have "substance" & read them... then share a paragraph or two to entice others.
I'm told some on RP make fun of me... but they can KISS MY ASS... and they better pack a lunch... it's an all day job
I'm told some on RP make fun of me... but they can KISS MY ASS... and they better pack a lunch... it's an all day job
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