William wordsworth 1770-1850, english poet, one of the most accomplished and influential of englands romantic poets, whose theories and style created a new tradition in poetry.
wordsworth was born on april 7, 1770, in cockermouth, cumberland, and educated at saint johns college, university of cambridge. he developed a keen love of nature as a youth, and during school vacation periods he frequently visited places noted for their scenic beauty. in the summer of 1790 he took a walking tour through france and switzerland. after receiving his degree in 1791 he returned to france, where he became an enthusiastic convert to the ideals of the french revolution 1789-1799. his lover annette vallon of orleans bore him a daughter in december 1792, shortly before his return to england. disheartened by the outbreak of hostilities between france and great britain in 1793, wordsworth nevertheless remained sympathetic to the french cause.
although wordsworth had begun to write poetry whil...