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Wordsworth, William (1770-1850)
William Wordsworth was born in 1770. He lived for eighty years, produced some of English poetry’s greatest works, for example 'The Prelude', and influenced future generations of poets. Most of his life was spent in the Lake District. He was born in Cockermouth (a town in the northern Lakes), educated at Hawkshead Grammar school, and spent much of his adult life in Grasmere and Rydal, in the heart of the Lake District. It was whilst at Dove Cottage that he produced some of his greatest poetry, including the second edition of 'The Lyrical Ballads' and much of 'The Prelude'. Wordsworth died at Rydal Mount in 1850, and is buried, with his family, in Grasmere churchyard. During his life he was witness to great social, political and artistic change and his experiences and attitudes are reflected not only in his poetry, but also in letters and prose works. Place and family were also important to Wordsworth.This is clear in his abiding love of the Lake District and settled domestic life, celebrated in poems such as 'Home at Grasmere'. Of his siblings he was particularly close to his sister Dorothy Wordsworth of whom he wrote ‘She, in the midst of all, preserved me still / a Poet’, following his disillusion with the French Revolution. Her journals also provided important inspiration for his poetry. Much of the stability in his later life was also due to his loving relationship with his wife Mary. They were married for 48 years and had 5 children.

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See also: GRMDC.B21

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Reference Wordsworth, William (1770-1850)

There are 5244 works by Wordsworth, William (1770-1850) in the Trust's collection, e.g.:
1986.4.1 Wordsworth, William. - Letter, Rydal Mount to Edward Moxon, 44 Dover Street, London, dated 19 April 1846. - In the hand of and signed by Wordsworth. - 'The Bearer is Captain Alexander Robertson..'

1986.4.2 Wordsworth, William. - Letter to Felicia Hemans, 20 Dawson Street, Dublin. - Dated December 27, 1833. - 'I am glad you have seen Mr. Archer ...'. - This is a continuation of a letter which was published in the London Mercury vi (1922), and published in LY's Pt II no 797, of which the the MS is untraced; this sheet is the conclusion of the letter.

1986.4.3 Wordsworth, William. - Autograph cover addressed to S. Tremenheere, Committee of Council on Education, Privy Council, Downing Street, London, undated.

1986.5.4 Wordsworth, William. - Letter to William Harness, Seathern Street, Mecklenburg. - Dated May 6, 1839. - 'You are not unaware perhaps ...'.

1986.13.56 Wordsworth, William (1770-1850). - Verse, written at Rydal Mount, dated 17 April 1833. - 1 folded sheet. - The verse reads 'He who defers his work from day to day / Does on a river's bank [?expecting] stay, / Till the whole Stream which stopped him / shall be gone / Which runs and as it runs for ever / Will run on.'

Person/place picker

There are 5244 works by Wordsworth, William (1770-1850) in the Trust's collection, e.g.:
1986.4.1		Wordsworth, William. - Letter, Rydal Mount to Edward Moxon, 44 Dover Street, London, dated 19 April 1846. - In the hand of and signed by Wordsworth. - 'The Bearer is Captain Alexander Robertson..'
1986.4.2		Wordsworth, William. - Letter to Felicia Hemans, 20 Dawson Street, Dublin. - Dated December 27, 1833. - 'I am glad you have seen Mr. Archer ...'. - This is a continuation of a letter which was published in the London Mercury vi (1922), and published in LY's Pt II no 797, of which the the MS is untraced; this sheet is the conclusion of the letter.
1986.4.3		Wordsworth, William. - Autograph cover addressed to S. Tremenheere, Committee of Council on Education, Privy Council, Downing Street, London, undated.
1986.5.4		Wordsworth, William. - Letter to William Harness, Seathern Street, Mecklenburg. - Dated May 6, 1839. - 'You are not unaware perhaps ...'.
1986.13.56		Wordsworth, William (1770-1850). - Verse, written at Rydal Mount, dated 17 April 1833. - 1 folded sheet. - The verse reads 'He who defers his work from day to day / Does on a river's bank [?expecting] stay, / Till the whole Stream which stopped him / shall be gone / Which runs and as it runs for ever / Will run on.'