It's often an interesting exercise to learn a little more about the poet whose words you are reading. Some idea of what things shaped their lives, when and where they lived, and the people and events that influenced them -- these things can add layers of meaning to a poem, and provide a better context for understanding and appreciating their works.

The opposite also holds true. Many a well known public figure whose lives you may think you know, produced poems that give a better appreciation of their viewpoint. They become more human and less of an textbook icon.

These summaries are intentionally brief, but packed with information nonetheless. If someone, such as a Lord Byron, a Matthew Arnold, a Helen Hunt Jackson, or a Laurence Hope strikes an interest, delve deeper and see what you can find out about them elsewhere. Thanks to Nelson Miller for initiating this biographical index, which we will add to as time permits. By the way, if you ever wanted to be a biographer but get bored with your subject after 2-3 paragraphs - have I got a job for you...

Along with Lives of the Poets, there is a companion page, Faces of the Poets, to give you a more corporeal view. I always like to read the biography first, then look at the portrait and see whether it surprises me, or not.

And yes, my apologies to Plutarch.

      --Steve

New Format Biographies:

1. Paul Laurence Dunbar
2. Nora May French
3. Evelyn Underhill
4. Jean Untermeyer

Old Format Biographies:

A

1. Lascelles Abercrombie
2. Franklin Pierce Adams
3. Henry Brooks Adams
4. John Quincy Adams
5. Sarah Flower Adams
6. Joseph Addison
7. AE (George William Russel)
8. Conrad Potter Aiken
9. Mark Akenside
10. Zoe Akins
11. Louisa May Alcott
12. Edward Godfree "Richard" Aldington
13. Thomas Bailey Aldrich
14. Cecil Frances Alexander
15. William Allingham
16. Washington Allston
17. 'Alqamah ibn 'Abadah
18. Anacreon
19. Sir Edwin Arnold
20. Matthew Arnold
21. Kenneth Herbert Ashley
22. Alfred Austin
23. Sir Robert Aytoun
24. William Edmondstoune Aytoun

    C

25. Francis Cornford
26. Charles Cotton

    G

27. William Davis Gallagher
28. Richard Garnett

    H

29. Thomas Wentworth Higginson

    O

30. Fitz-James O'Brien

    R

31. Lizette Woodworth Reese