William Wordsworth

John R. Williams (University of Greenwich)
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Pierre-Antoine Baudouin, Les Heures du jour: La nuit, *ca*. 1778, gouache on paper, pasted onto board, 25.9 x 20 cm, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

William Wordsworth was born in Cockermouth, Cumberland, on April 7th, 1770. He had an elder brother, Richard, born in 1768. His sister, Dorothy, was born in 1771, followed by John, 1772, and Christopher, 1774. Wordsworth's father (John Wordsworth) was law agent to Sir James Lowther (later Earl of Lonsdale), the richest and most powerful political magnate in the north-west. The family owed everything to him, and lived rent free in the most impressive house and grounds in Cockermouth High Street.

William Wordsworth was born in Cockermouth, Cumberland, on April 7th, 1770. He had an elder brother, Richard, born in 1768. His sister,…

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Citation: Williams, John R.. "William Wordsworth". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 28 October 2000 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=4804, accessed 19 March 2024.]

4804 William Wordsworth 1 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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