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Hayley, William, 1745-1820 (poet and biographer)

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1745 - 1820

Biography

William Hayley (1745-1820), poet and biographer, attended Eton College and Trinity Hall, Cambridge, but never graduated with a degree. His first published work, 'Ode on the Birth of the Prince of Wales' appeared in 'Cambridge Verses' and 'Gentleman's Magazine', but his attempts at playwriting were not so successful and made him turn to poetry, centering on odes, sonnets, and epitaphs. Hayley enjoyed being surrounded by talented people, including William Blake, George Romney, and William Cowper, and they all influenced his future endeavors. His first major work, 'Epistle on Painting, Addressed to George Romney', was published in 1778 and therein followed other poetic works, as well as his most well-known poem, 'Triumphs of Temper' (1781) and a biography of John Milton (1796). In 1790 he was offered the poet laureateship which, for reasons unknown, he declined. In 1794 he published an acclaimed biography of John Milton and this was followed by other works on William Cowper and George Romney. After the death of his son in 1800, Hayley became reclusive in his home in Felpham, but continued to write both poetry and biographies, including a biography of his friend, William Cowper. He died at his home in 1820 from kidney trouble.

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:

 Fonds

Letters of William Hayley

 Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.8532
Dates: 1800-1804
Conditions Governing Access: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 Fonds

William Hayley: letters to William Long

 Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.2613
Scope and Contents 89 letters, including some undated and/or incomplete. Also including: 'Proposals for publishing a Life of the late William Hodges Esq.' 25 May 1797; two versions of the poem 'Peace to these Reliques! Once the bright attire ...', Mar. 1800 (epitaph on George Steevens, d. 1800, another version printed in J. Nichols (ed.), Literary Anecdotes, London, 1812, 2, p. 657); 'Private Squib: The adventures of an unfortunate Muse', undated and unpublished. Item 90: letter from Henry Richards Luard to...
Dates: 1793-1812
Conditions Governing Access: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).