Wordsworth

William Wordsworth

(7 April 1770 - 23 April 1850) Wordsworth was a major English Romantic Poet who helped to launch the Romantic Age in English Literature.

• Wordsworth grew up in the countryside and did not see the city until he was 18!


• He lost his mother when he was 8 then his father 5 yrs after.


• Wordsworth married four (4) times!


• When he died, he was considered by many to be the greatest poet in the world!

Background of Sonnet Composed Upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802

This poem was written in 1802 about an experience Wordsworth had with his sister on Westminster Bridge. The coach they were travelling on paused on the bridge and the view of the city in the early morning seemed to have impressed Wordsworth. His sister wrote in her journal:

"It was a beautiful morning. The city, St. Paul's, with the river, and a multitude of little boats, made a most beautiful sight as we crossed Westminster Bridge. The houses were not overhung by their cloud of smoke, and they were spread out endlessly, yet the sun shone so brightly, with such a fierce light; that there was something like the purity of one of nature's own grand spectacles."

So where was Wordsworth going? I'm glad you asked! First we must go 11 years earlier when Wordsworth had an affair with a French girl, Annette Vallon, and had an illegitimate daughter Anne Caroline. Because of lack of money and Britain's tensions with France, he returned alone to England the next year although he had expressed to Annette a wish to marry her.

In 1802, he was able to return to France to see Annette. However, Wordsworth now wished to marry his childhood friend, Mary Hutchinson. So the purpose of his journey was to discuss his obligations to Annette and Caroline and free his conscience to marry Mary. Although many doubt his desire to marry Annette, he supported her and his daughter as best he could in later life.