Wu Duncan

Wordsworth’s Reading 1800–1815 lists all of the authors and (where possible) books known to have been read by William Wordsworth during the years which saw the composition of some of his greatest poetry, including most of the Poems in Two Volumes, The Thirteen-Book Prelude, and The Excursion. The information is presented in an easy-to-use form, and includes dates of reading and full discussions of evidence. It draws on analyses of Wordsworth’s manuscripts contained in current and forthcoming scholarly editions of his works, and incorporates hitherto unpublished research into the poet’s intellectual development, including a thorough survey of manuscript materials. Together with Duncan Wu’s companion-volume, Wordsworth’s Reading 1770–1799, this is the most complete study of Wordsworth’s reading to date, and it will be an essential reference tool for all scholars and students of his work.

Wordsworth's Reading 1770–1799 lists all of the authors and (where possible) books known to have been read by William Wordsworth from his childhood until his move to Dove Cottage in 1799 at the age of twenty-nine. This information is presented in an easy-to-use form - in alphabetical order by author - and includes dates of reading and full discussions of the evidence. It draws on analyses of Wordsworth’s manuscripts contained in current or forthcoming scholarly editions of his works, and incorporates a great deal of original research into the poet’s intellectual development, including studies of the libraries of John Wordsworth Sr. (the poet’s father), Hawkshead Grammar School, Racedown Lodge, and the Bristol Library Society. Where possible, surviving copies of Wordsworth’s books are examined and described. This is the most complete study of Wordsworth’s reading to date, and will be an essential reference tool for all scholars and students of his work.