William Shenstone
William Shenstone was an English poet born on November 18, 1714, in Halesowen, Worcestershire. Orphaned at a young age, he was raised by his uncle and received an education that led him to Pembroke College, Oxford, where he developed a friendship with the poet Richard Graves. In 1737, he published his first collection of poems, showcasing his notable work, "The School-Mistress," which drew inspiration from his early education and teachers. Although Shenstone's poetry was initially overlooked, he continued to write and engage with the literary circles of London, contributing to the cultural discussions of his time.
After leaving Oxford without a degree, he turned his focus to landscaping his family home, Leasowes, which gained fame for its elaborate gardens but also led to financial difficulties. Despite being classified as a minor poet, Shenstone's work influenced later writers such as Robert Burns and Thomas Gray. His poetry is recognized for its early exploration of themes that would later be embraced by the Romantic movement, particularly the appreciation of nature and personal reflection. Shenstone passed away on February 11, 1763, leaving a legacy that, while less known today, remains significant in the trajectory of English poetry.
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William Shenstone
Poet
- Born: November 18, 1714
- Birthplace: Halesowen, Worcestershire, England
- Died: February 11, 1763
- Place of death:
Biography
William Shenstone was born on November 18, 1714, at the family home, Leasowes, in Halesowen, Worcerstershire, England, the son of Thomas and Ann Shenstone. His parents died while he was still quite young, and Shenstone became the ward of his uncle, Reverend Thomas Dolman. He attended primary school and then continued his education at Halesowen Grammar School, after which he studied at a school in Solihul.
In 1732, Shenstone began studying at Pembroke College, Oxford University. While at the university, he became close friends with the poet Richard Graves. In 1737, he privately published his first collection of poems, Poems upon Various Occasions, Written for the Entertainment of the Author, and Printed for the Amusement of a Few Friends, Prejudic’d in His Favour. The poem for which he is most noted, The School-Mistress, a Poem: In Imitation of Spenser, appears in the first draft of this collection. This poem was based on the small school he had attended near his home, and the character of the schoolmistress was modeled on Sarah Lloyd, his early teacher. Shenstone wrote the poem in stanzas in the style of the seventeenth century poet Edmund Spenser. However, since the poem was a burlesque, it is actually more in the style of poet Alexander Pope. In 1741, he published The Judgment of Hercules, a Poem. Shenstone eventually left Oxford without earning a degree.
Shenstone engaged in the London literary life of the day, taking part in the discussions that were prevalent in coffee houses and on the pages of magazines. He continued to write and publish, working primarily on a revision of The School- Mistress. He republished this poem in 1742 to scant recognition. For a poet who wished fame and prestige, his lack of acceptance in London was discouraging. Although he continued to pursue his writing, composing twenty-six elegies and additional verses, he retired to his country home, Leasowes, in 1745.
Although he did not lose interest in poetry and continued to publish, he turned his attention to landscaping the grounds at Leasowes. He developed complicated and expensive plans for his gardens, which eventually led him to financial impoverishment. Leasowes, however, enjoyed a good deal of celebrity as a result of Shenstone’s efforts. Shenstone died on February 11, 1763.
Although Shenstone has been classified as a minor poet, his work was much admired by writers such as Robert Burns, Thomas Gray, and John Ruskin. While his work is little read in the twenty-first century, it is important because it is a precursor to the Romantic poets’ interest in natural settings and subjective response.