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