The New Oxford Book of Romantic Period Verse

The poets whom we call the Romantics--Wordsworth, Coleridge, Burns, Blake, Byron, Shelley, and Keats--belonged to an age in which many other kinds of poetry written and published as well. In this new volume, Jerome McGann explores the full range of verse that was published in Britain between the years of 1785-1832, one of the most fertile periods for English writing. Selections from all the major and minor Romantic poets are included, as well as important political and satiric verse of the period, "sentimental" verse, regional and dialect verse, and verse in translation. Organizing the material by date of first appearance, and not by author grouping, McGann calls attention to the historical and cultural contexts in which the poetry is embedded. Another important feature of the volume is the space devoted to woman poets who include Felica Dorothea Hemans, Ann Yearsley, Laeticia Elizabeth Landon, and Mary Tighe, all distinguished writers who were previously given short shrift. A stimulating volume from one of the most important periods in English literature, The New Oxford Book of Romantic Period Verse offers a new context in which to examine classic works of Romantic poetry.