Birth date: 
1714
Death date: 
1763
Birth town: 
Country: 
England

Born in 1714 in Halesowen (now Worcestershire) England living at the family home 'The Leasowes'. Halesowen, which, up to the early years of the 18th century was in part of Shropshire. He was educated at Solihull Grammar School, where he met and became firm friends with the future poet Richard Jago, before going on to study at Pembroke College, Oxford, but without taking a degree. On inheriting 'The Leasowes' he spent much time and money on landscaping the estate.
He was a poet of diverse taste, his father recognising his talent when a young boy, had strived to send his son to Oxford to study theology but William showed no real interest, preferring poetry, odes, elegies, ballads and correspondence of which he was particularly proud.
Shenstone's work is somewhat self-conscious and pretty and is scarcely remembered today, with the possible exception of the pastoral poem The Schoolmistress (1742), written in the style of Edmund Spenser. This was praised by Dr. Johnson and Thomas Gray, the latter's Elegy written in a country churchyard (1751) being in a similar style.

William Shenstone died in 1763.

Poems by this Poet

Displaying 91 - 100 of 176
Poemsort descending Post date Rating Comments
On a Tablet Aagainst a Root-House 19 May 2014
0
No votes yet
 0
On Certain Pastorals 31 July 2013
0
No votes yet
 0
On Miss M--'s's Dancing 31 July 2013
0
No votes yet
 0
On Miss Ms's Dancing 5 September 2014
0
No votes yet
 0
On Mr. C -- Of Kidderminster's Poetry 31 July 2013
0
No votes yet
 0
On Mr. C of Kidderminster's Poetry 19 May 2014
0
No votes yet
 0
On the Back of a Gothic Alcove 29 November 2013
0
No votes yet
 0
On the Back of a Gothic Seat 19 May 2014
0
No votes yet
 0
On the Untimely Death of a Certain Learned Acquaintance 19 May 2014
0
No votes yet
 0
Pastoral Ballad, A. In Four Parts 19 May 2014
0
No votes yet
 0

Pages

Report violation