The Life of Cowley
Essay
|
Samuel Johnson
The Life of Cowley Main Text
From Samuel Johnson's Lives of the Poets series, published in 3 volumes between 1779 and 1781.
The life of Cowley, notwithstanding the penury of English biography, has been written by Dr. Sprat, an author whose pregnancy of imagination and elegance of language have deservedly set him high in the ranks of literature; but his zeal of friendship, or ambition of eloquence, has produced a funeral orati...
Read The Life of Cowley Main Text
The Life of Cowley Summary
Early Life and Love for Poetry: Abraham Cowley was born in 1618. His father was a grocer who died before he was born. Cowley was raised by his mother. She worked hard to give him a good education. She lived long enough to see her son become a famous poet. One day, Cowley found “The Faerie Queene” by Edmund Spenser in his mother’s room. He read it and felt the beauty of poetry. This moment made him...
Expand The Life of Cowley Summary
The Life of Cowley Key Facts
Title: The Life of Cowley
Author: Dr. Samuel Johnson
Publication Date: 1779–1781 (as part of Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets)
Point of View: Third-person, with critical commentary by the author
Key Notes
Metaphysical Poetry: Metaphysical poetry is a group of seventeenth‑century English poems. It is filled with sharp thought and daring image. Poets blend science, faith, love, and daily life...
Expand The Life of Cowley Key Facts
Notes
Explore 11 detailed notes related to The Life of Cowley. Each note provides in-depth analysis, explanations, and critical insights.