7th April 2020 marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of the poet William Wordsworth (1770 – 1850). Wordsworth was one of the greatest and most representative poets of the age of Romanticism, the revolutionary period whose ideas and values – democracy, the rights of the individual, our relationship with nature, the power of the human mind – define the modern world.
There is a wealth of events planned for 2020, although so many have already been cancelled or postponed due to the corona virus. Dove Cottage was planning to open it's new heritage centre today, but the opening is yet another casualty of the virus.
But, even if we can't meet up with fellow Wordsworth enthusiasts, I can still revel in his wonderful poetry and look forward to the coming months when, hopefully, many of the events will be rescheduled.
So, I will be celebrating 250 years since Wordsworth's birth, with a rereading of much of his poetry including the wonderful and seminal work The Prelude.
As part of my celebration of Wordsworth, I will be enjoying Jonathan Bate's new book Radical Wordsworth. I will also be browsing the Wordsworth Trust's website for interesting articles and resources.
But, even if we can't meet up with fellow Wordsworth enthusiasts, I can still revel in his wonderful poetry and look forward to the coming months when, hopefully, many of the events will be rescheduled.So, I will be celebrating 250 years since Wordsworth's birth, with a rereading of much of his poetry including the wonderful and seminal work The Prelude.
As part of my celebration of Wordsworth, I will be enjoying Jonathan Bate's new book Radical Wordsworth. I will also be browsing the Wordsworth Trust's website for interesting articles and resources.