John Keats

John Keats

About John Keats

John Keats, a British Romantic poet, was born on October 31, 1795 in London, England. Both of his parents died when he was young. These deaths influenced his writing because they gave him a strong understanding of what it meant to be human and experience suffering.

After his father's death in 1804, his mother quickly remarried and moved the family to her mother's home, but the relationship did not last long. Keats felt a strong sense of responsibility to protect his siblings. It was during this time that art and literature became a big comfort to Keats. His mother died five years after his father's death.

John Clarke, the headmaster at Enfield Academy, where Keats attended school, encouraged his interest in literature. Keats became good friends with Charles Cowden Clarke, the headmaster's son. It was this friend who introduced Keats to Leigh Hunt, who became his first publisher.

John Keats' first poem was published in May 1816 in a magazine. It was then followed by the first volume of poetry, Poems by John Keats, in 1817.

During his lifetime, Keats published three volumes of poetry. It is said that the third, Lamia, Isabella, The Eve of St. Agnes, and Other Poems, was by far the best. His most productive poetry writing period was between 1818 and 1819.

Keats died from tuberculosis on February 23, 1821, at the young age of 25.

Interesting Facts about John Keats:

  1. Before pursuing a career in literature, he studied medicine at a London hospital. He became a licensed apothecary, but he never practiced medicine.
  2. Keats had no formal literacy education.
  3. His longest poem, "Endynion," is 4,000 lines long, and it's based on the Greek myth. He committed to writing 40 lines per day until the poem was complete.
  4. Keats received a lot of criticism because his writing style was so bold.
  5. In 1818, he took a walking tour of Ireland and Scotland.
  6. Keats' uncle, mother, and brother also died from tuberculosis.
  7. Keats fell in love with Fanny Brawne while taking care of his ill brother. Unfortunately, the two never married because of Keats' own declining health.

References

    Poems by John Keats

  • When I Have Fears

    Famous Poem

    in Famous Sad Poems

    When I have fears that I may cease to be
    Before my pen has gleaned my teeming brain,
    Before high-pilèd books, in charactery,
    Hold like rich garners the full ripened grain;

    More...

    Go To Complete Poem

    • Stories 1
    • Shares 1740
    • Favorited 5
    • Votes 100
    • Rating 4.29
    • Poem of the Day
    Featured Shared Story

    My brief thoughts on what I believe makes this poem a Classic. We all want to make and leave a mark in life. We all have anxiety. I want to fear not life or death but take the chance called...

    Read complete story

    Touched by the poem? Share your story! (1)

  • To Autumn

    Famous Poem

    in Famous Nature Poems

    Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,  
    Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
    Conspiring with him how to load and bless  
    With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;

    More...

    Go To Complete Poem

    • Stories 1
    • Shares 1439
    • Favorited 15
    • Votes 486
    • Rating 4.09
    • Poem of the Day
    Featured Shared Story

    It's an awesome poem!!
    I really love it!!!

    Touched by the poem? Share your story! (1)



    Quotes by John Keats

    Quote From Ode On A Grecian Urn By John Keats

    Quote

    Beauty is truth, truth beauty,
    - that is all
    Ye know on earth,
    and all ye need to know

    John Keats

    • Favorited 3
    • Votes 209
    • Rating 3.23

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