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John Keats

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John Keats was a famous English poet from the Romantic period.

Portrait of Keats - HH
Portrait of Keats - HH

He belonged to a group of writers known as the second generation of Romantic poets. This group included other well-known writers like Lord Byron and Percy Bysshe Shelley. Keats was known for a style that used deep feelings and natural imagery. He often wrote odes, which are special types of poems. Some of his most famous works include "Ode to a Nightingale" and "Ode on a Grecian Urn."

Keatslifemask
Keatslifemask

Many people still study his poems and letters today. His words have had a huge impact on many other writers throughout history.

Keats did not begin his career as a writer. He actually trained to be a medical professional. He studied at Guy's Hospital in London to become a surgeon.

The John Keats Statue in London
The John Keats Statue in London

During this time, he worked as a dresser to help surgeons during operations. This was a very important job with a heavy workload. He even had a real desire to become a doctor for a time. However, he felt a strong pull toward literature and poetry. In 1816, he made the big choice to leave medicine to become a poet instead.

His early life was filled with many changes and hard times. He was born in London on October 31, 1795.

J Keats House
J Keats House

His father worked at an inn, and Keats believed he was born there. Sadly, his father died when John was only eight years old. His mother died of tuberculosis when he was fourteen. These losses meant his grandmother had to look after him and his siblings. He went to a school in Enfield where he first fell in love with history and classics. This education helped shape the brilliant mind he would have later.

Keats faced many struggles with money while he was growing up. He spent a lot of his own money on his expensive medical training.

Fannybrawne
Fannybrawne

Even though he was given money in wills, he did not always know about it. This made it very hard for him to live independently. His first book of poems, published in 1816, was not a success at first. Many critics did not like it, and his publishers were even ashamed. But he did not give up on his dream. He found new publishers who believed in his talent and helped him succeed.

Keats's life was short, but his influence is very long. He died of tuberculosis in February 1821 at the age of 25.

John Keats Tombstone in Rome 01
John Keats Tombstone in Rome 01

Even though he died young, his fame grew very quickly after his death. He became a major part of English literature. His poems inspired a group of artists called the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. Writers like Dante Gabriel Rossetti and William Morris were moved by his work. Today, we remember him as one of the greatest poets to ever live. His ideas about beauty and truth still touch people all over the world.

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🖼️ Images & Media (9)
File:Keatslifemask.jpg
Keatslifemask.jpg
File:J Keats House.jpg
J Keats House.jpg
File:Fannybrawne.jpg
Fannybrawne.jpg
File:Keats-Shelley House.jpg
Keats-Shelley House.jpg
File:John Keats Tombstone in Rome 01.jpg
John Keats Tombstone in Rome 01.jpg
File:9069 - Roma - Cimitero acattolico - Lapide a John Keats (1795-1821) - Foto Giovanni Dall'Orto, 31-March-2008.jpg
9069 - Roma - Cimitero acattolico -...
File:Portrait of Keats - HH.jpg
Portrait of Keats - HH.jpg
File:The John Keats Statue in London.jpg
The John Keats Statue in London.jpg
File:John Keats - On death - Breestraat 113, Leiden.JPG
John Keats - On death - Breestraat 113, Leiden.JPG
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