The Lives of the Poets: A Selection (Oxford World's Classics)

Here is a substantial selection of Samuel Johnson's magisterial and unforgettable portraits of the lives of the English poets of the 17th and 18th centuries. Originally covering the lives of 52 poets, with the primary focus on Milton, Dryden, Swift, and Pope, Johnson's Lives was described by Thomas Gray as a "compendious story of a whole important age in English literature, told by a great man, and in a performance which is itself a piece of English literature of the first class." Unsentimental, opinionated, and quotable, The Lives of the Poets continues to influence the reputations of the writers concerned. This selection—featuring the lives of eleven of the most important poets—draws from Roger Lonsdale's authoritative complete edition. It includes an engaging introduction, helpful notes, and an up-to-date bibliography. Its publication coincides with the 300th anniversary of Johnson's birth in September 1709. About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more. 'if A Man Is To Write A Panegyrick, He May Keep Vices Out Of Sight; But If He Professes To Write A Life, He Must Represent It Really As It Was.' In The Last Of His Major Writings, Samuel Johnson Looked Back Over The Previous Two Centuries Of English Literature In Order To Describe The Personalities As Well As The Achievements Of The Leading English Poets. The Major Lives - Of Milton, Dryden, Swift, And Pope - Are Memorable Cameos Of The Life Of Writing In Which Johnson Is As Attentive To Human Frailty As To Literary Prowess. The Shorter Lives Preserve Some Of Johnson's Most Piercing, Critical Judgements. Unsentimental, Opinionated, And Quotable, The Lives Of The Poets Continues To Influence The Reputations Of The Writers Concerned. It Is One Of The Greatest Works Of English Criticism, But Also One Of The Most Humanly Diverting. This Selection Of The Lives Of Ten Of The Most Important Poets Draws Its Text From Roger Lonsdale's Authoritative Complete Edition. About The Series: For Over 100 Years Oxford World's Classics Has Made Available The Widest Range Of Literature From Around The Globe. Each Affordable Volume Reflects Oxford's Commitment To Scholarship, Providing The Most Accurate Text Plus A Wealth Of Other Valuable Features, Including Expert Introductions By Leading Authorities, Helpful Notes To Clarify The Text, Up-to-date Bibliographies For Further Study, And Much More. Here is a substantial selection of Samuel Johnson's magisterial and unforgettable portraits of the lives of the English poets of the 17th and 18th centuries. Originally covering the lives of 52 poets, with the primary focus on Milton, Dryden, Swift, and Pope, Johnson's Lives was described by Thomas Gray as a " compendious story of a whole important age in English literature, told by a great man, and in a performance which is itself a piece of English literature of the first class. " Unsentimental, opinionated, and quotable, The Lives of the Poets continues to influence the reputations of the writers concerned. This selection - featuring the lives of eleven of the most important poets - draws from Roger Lonsdale's authoritative complete edition. It includes an engaging introduction, helpful notes, and an up-to-date bibliography. Its publication coincides with the 300th anniversary of Johnson's birth in September 1709. In the last of his major writings, Samuel Johnson looked back over the previous two centuries of English literature in order to describe the personalities as well as the achievements of the leading English poets. The major Lives -- of Milton, Dryden, Swift, and Pope -- are memorable cameos of the life of writing in which Johnson is as attentive to human frailty as to literary prowess. The shorter Lives preserve some of Johnson's most piercing, critical judgements. Unsentimental, opinionated, and quotable, The Lives of the Poets continues to influence the reputations of the writers concerned. It is one of the greatest works of English criticism, but also one of the must humanly diverting. - Back cover The Lives of the Poets is one of the greatest works of English criticism, but also one of the most diverting. This is the only one-volume paperback edition to make available Johnson's most substantial Lives in unabridged form. Texts are drawn from Roger Lonsdale's authoritative complete edition, and introduced by John Mullan. Cowley Milton Rochester Dryden Congreve Gay Savage Switft Pope Gray.