The Lake Poets - by William Wordsworth & Dorothy Wordsworth & Samuel Taylor Coleridge & Robert Southey (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Introduced by James Rebanks, The Lake Poets is a beautiful anthology which showcases some of the best writing from 'The Lake Poets' and celebrates the isolated beauty of the English Lakes.

Inspired by the spectacular pastoral landscapes of the region, William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Robert Southey, Dorothy Wordsworth, and Charles Lamb are best remembered for their incredible depictions of the English fells, lakes, and coastlines, which continue to enchant visitors from around the world.
Here, through their selected writings, we are reminded of the lasting influence that this exquisite place has on this famous group of writers.
The book includes such favorites as Wordsworth's "I Wander'd Lonely as a Cloud" and Coleridge's "Kubla Khan." It has 44 poems, an excerpt from Dorothy Wordsworth's journal, and a brief biography of each poet.
The anthology is rounded off by a personal and insightful introduction by James Rebanks, charting the radical roots of the poets, Rebanks's own growing appreciation of their work, and the legacy of the poems.

Review Quotes

"A beautifully produced new collection of poetry celebrating the Lake District with a personal and insightful introduction by James Rebanks, charting the Lake poets' radical roots, his growing appreciation of their work and the poems' legacy." -- North Lakes Living

"'They put the Lake District at the heart of the English literary imagination, ' writes Rebanks in a thoughtful introduction to this anthology. The Cumbrian farmer who shot to fame with A Shepherd's Life reminds us that, far from being fops wandering lonely as clouds, the Lake Poets were radicals. One for thoughtful readers." -- Saga Magazine

"The introduction from farmer-memoirist James Rebanks provides contemplation on how the history of these poets has impacted local life in Lakeland, and the complicated legacy they leave for our notions of culture and nature. The lessons James draws from the Lake Poets demonstrate how the radical edge of classic poetry can still reverberate across generations." -- Cumbria Life

"What distinguishes Notting Hill Editions' fine and handsomely bound anthology from any number of collections...is the efficacy of its selections. Concise, focused, and including poems and prose pieces from several of the major architects of the Romantic movement, The Lake Poets successfully resolves a huge expanse of contemplative thought into satisfying precis." -- Yorkshire Times

About the Author

Introducer James Rebanks is a farmer based in the Lake District, where his family have lived and worked for over six hundred years. His No.1 bestselling debut, The Shepherd's Life, won the Lake District Book of the Year, was shortlisted for the Wainwright and Ondaatje prizes, and has been translated into sixteen languages. His second book, English Pastoral, was also a Top Ten bestseller and was named the Sunday Times Nature Book of the Year. Heralded as a 'masterpiece' by the New Statesman, it was shortlisted for the Ondaatje prize, and longlisted for the Rathbones Folio prize and the Orwell Prize for Political Writing.

William Wordsworth (1770-1850) was one of the most influential English Romantic poets, best known for his Lyrical Ballads, written together with Samuel Taylor Coleridge; his epic poem "The Prelude"; and his poem "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" (also known as "Daffodils"). He was one of the central figures of the Lake Poets, a group of English Romantic poets who lived and created in the Lake District of England, as well as Poet Laureate from 1843 until his death.

Dorothy Wordsworth (1771-1855) was an English poet, author and diarist, and sister of William Wordsworth. An avid naturalist, her writing mostly explores the natural world.

Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834) was an English poet and literary critic. He was a central figure of the Lake Poets, and close collaborator of William Wordsworth, including on the groundbreaking Lyrical Ballads. He is best known for his long-form poems, including "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner," "Christabel," and "Kubla Khan." For most of his life, he lived and wrote in the Lake District of England.

Robert Southey (1774-1843) was a prolific English Romantic poet and writer, and one of the Lake Poets. He produced epics, ballads, plays, travelogues and more. His well-known works include "The Cataract of Lodore." He was Poet Laureate from 1813 until his death.