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William Taylor Collins
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I lived from 1720-1756.
I was from England, and am in the English category.
Born in Chichester, England on Christmas Day 1720 William Collins was raised in a strong middle class family.
Read full description by Oldpoetry Research Team...
He was a student at Winchester College from the age of 13 but was not a noted scholar.
His first poems to gain public approval were To A Lady Weeping published in The Gentleman's Magazine.
He attended a variety of University colleges before finally graduating with his degree.
He moved to London in 1744 hoping to pursue a literary career but was often distracted by the necessity of earning a living unlike many of his contemporaries. One project that never reached fruition was a History of the Revival of Learning. He did however manage to write some odes and other poetry. He managed to persuade one bookseller that he would translate Aristotle's Poeticks and add a modern commentary but he absconded with the advance payment in order to avoid sundry creditors.
Fortunately at that time a relative died and left him a considerable sum of money (about £2000). However Collins who had lead a hearty life through poverty became quite ill when he inherited wealth. The last few years of his life he suffered severe depression and was unable to fulfill his literary promise now that he had funds to enable him to devote time to it. He moved to France but his health became even worse and he was forced to return to England and to live with his sister in Chichester in order that she could care for him before his death in 1756.
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As once, if not with light regard,
I read aright that gifted bard,
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You are the bread and the knife,
The crystal goblet and the wine...
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To fair Fidele's grassy tomb
Soft maids and village hinds shall bring
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HOW sleep the brave, who sink to rest
By all their country's wishes blest!
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