Thomas Warton
Thomas Warton (1728-1790) was an influential English poet and literary critic, notable for his contributions to the development of literary scholarship in the 18th century. Born in Basingstoke, Hampshire, he attended Trinity College, Oxford, where he excelled in poetry and earned both his B.A. and M.A. By 1756, he was appointed Professor of Poetry at Oxford, a role he held for a decade. Warton is renowned for his extensive work, "The History of English Poetry," which, although unfinished, marks a significant early attempt at literary history in England.
In addition to his scholarly pursuits, Warton wrote various poems, biographies, and humorous pieces, displaying a range of literary talent. His 1754 publication, "Observations on 'The Faerie Queene,'" solidified his reputation among contemporaries like Samuel Johnson and Thomas Gray. Although his literary history may not align with modern scholarly standards, Warton’s research into English literature laid the groundwork for future studies and fostered a renewed interest in figures such as Geoffrey Chaucer. His friendships and interactions with key literary figures of his time enrich our understanding of the cultural landscape of the late 18th century.
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Thomas Warton
Historian
- Born: January 9, 1728
- Birthplace: Basingstoke, Hampshire, England
- Died: May 21, 1790
- Place of death: Oxford, England
Biography
Thomas Warton was born on January 9, 1728, in Basingstoke, Hampshire, England. His parents were Thomas and Elizabeth Warton. The senior Warton had been a Professor of Poetry at Oxford. The younger Warton entered Trinity College, Oxford, in 1774. He earned a B.A. in 1747, took holy orders, and earned an M.A. in 1750. While still a student, he wrote a great deal of well- received verse. In 1756 he became Professor of Poetry, a post he held for ten years.
In addition to poetry, Warton also wrote literary criticism. In 1754 he published Observations on “The Faerie Queene” of Spenser. As a result of this work, he became a highly respected literary figure in England; included in his circle were Samuel Johnson and Thomas Gray. In 1760, Warton published a life of Sir Thomas Pope, the founder of Trinity College. This marked the first of several biographies he wrote during the late eighteenth century. In 1764, he published The Oxford Sausage, a book that reveals Warton’s humorous side; some thirteen pieces of his own were included in this collection of Oxford comic verse.
In addition to his serious poetry, biography, and humorous verse, Warton also engaged in the study of the classics. He published several important translations and editions of classical writers. In the years between 1774 and 1781, Warton published the work for which he is best remembered: The History of English Poetry, from the Close of the Eleventh to the Commencement of the Eighteenth Century. This was a monumental task; there is evidence that Warton had been collecting research materials for this work for some twenty years, and it is estimated that he must have consulted at least eight hundred books to produce the work. Indeed, Warton never completed the work, publishing only the first three volumes.
In 1777, Warton turned again to poetry, publishing a twenty- five-poem collection, Poems: A New Edition, with Additions. During this period, Warton also continued work on an edition of the shorter poems of John Milton. The volume, published in 1785, is noted for its impeccable scholarship. In 1782, Warton produced more verses, this time on the subject of his friend Sir Joshua Reynolds, Verses on Sir Joshua Reynolds’s Painted Window at New-College. Reynolds showed his appreciation by painting Warton’s portrait in 1784, and he was instrumental in securing Warton’s appointment as the poet laureate.
By the time of Warton’s death in 1790, he was generally regarded as one of the most important literary scholars of his day. Although Warton’s history of English literature does not meet the expectations of contemporary scholars with its digressive narrative and factual inconsistencies, it is, nevertheless, the first attempt at literary history in England. The breadth and depth of the research required to produce the work is remarkable, and he is largely responsible for a new appreciation of Geoffrey Chaucer. In addition, Warton was a central figure in his period’s literary milieu, establishing long friendships with writers such as Johnson. His work and life offer significant insight into late eighteenth century literary thought.