Samuel Taylor Coleridge 1772-1834
Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Early Life Born October 21, 1772 Devonshire, England Pursued life as clergy at first Began to sway while in Jesus College, Cambridge Racked up large debt while in school Brothers had to eventually pay off debt Debt followed him throughout his life; usually depending on friends to help support him
Inspirations Met Robert Southey before taking a trip Two gentlemen hit it off and discussed Plato’s republic Decided to plan a pantisocracy (equal government by all) by going to New World with 10 families to set up a commune by a river Left on trip and returned to Southey’s engagement Coleridge was in love with another woman who was already engaged, so he married Southey’s fiancé’s sister Their marriage was distant at best
Coleridge + Wordsworth = Lyrical Ballads In 1795, Coleridge met William Wordsworth Wordsworth influenced Coleridge’s style immediately Coleridge went from “celebratory and conventional” to a more natural progression in his poetry Coleridge published his first work during this time In 1797-98, Coleridge lived by Wordsworth and Wordsworth’s sister, Dorothy They collaborated on Lyrical Ballads
Lyrical Ballads Lyrical Ballads is considered the volume of poetry that really started the Romantic Period It is known to encapsulate all of the great poetry of that time between the two writers Many believe that after this was published, Wordsworth lost his skills and never wrote anything as good again
In the end… Coleridge was addicted to opium and also ill Moved about a lot to fight opium addiction Finally moved in with doctor during later years to help fight addiction Died in 1834