Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Biographia Literaria

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Biographia Literaria

, like many works of the romantic period, frustrates attempts at generic classification. A two-volume prose work of considerable intellectual range and ambition, it combines Coleridge’s ideas on theology, philosophy, literary theory, the nature of the imagination and poetic genius with practical criticism and personal reminiscence. Written between April and September 1815, it marks a difficult period in Coleridge’s life, as he struggled to overcome his addiction to opium and bouts of suicidal depression. This turmoil partially explains the digressive and patchwork topography of

Biographia

, the composition of which began as a form of literary convalescence (Coleridge dictated much of it to his friend John Morgan). Originally, Coleridge conceived the work as a…

2718 words

Citation: Milnes, Tim. "Biographia Literaria". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 16 September 2011 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=6312, accessed 19 March 2024.]

6312 Biographia Literaria 3 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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