“My days among the dead”
Around me I behold,
Where’er these casual eyes…
Robert Southey (1774–1843) was an eminent English poet of the Romantic school, best known for his extensive literary output and his role as Poet Laureate from 1813 until his death. Born in Bristol, Southey was educated at Westminster School and later at Balliol College, Oxford, though he left without a degree. He initially intended to pursue a career in law, but his fervent interest in literature redirected his path.
A prolific writer, Southey produced a wide array of works, including poetry, biographies, essays, and histories. His early collaboration with Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Wordsworth marked the beginning of the Lake Poets, a group that greatly influenced English literature. Among his notable poems are "Thalaba the Destroyer" (1801), "The Curse of Kehama" (1810), and "Roderick, the Last of the Goths" (1814).
Southey's prose works also received significant acclaim. His "Life of Nelson" (1813), a biography of Admiral Horatio Nelson, remains a classic. As a literary figure, Southey was known for his political conservatism, which some critics argue tempered his innovative poetic style. Despite this, his contributions to English literature and his broad-ranging influence are indisputable. Robert Southey died in 1843, leaving behind a rich legacy as a poet, historian, and biographer.