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Thomas Chatterton Biography

Poet

Thomas Chatterton, born on November 20, 1752 and died on August 24, 1770, was a poet of the Romantic era in Britain. He is known for his unique poetic style and the tragic fate of his early death.

Made Soul Light Sky Pure Sight Devotion Command Shade Almighty Texture Incense Framers

Book:The Poetical Works of Thomas Chatterton: Acknowledged poems. Chatterton's will. Miscellaneous prose works

Source: The Poetical Works of Thomas Chatterton: Acknowledged poems. Chatterton's will. Miscellaneous prose works

“How shall we celebrate the day,When God appeared in mortal clay,The mark of worldly scorn;When the Archangel's heavenly Lays,Attempted the Redeemer's Praise,And hail'd Salvation's Morn!”

Mark Praise Salvation Lays Celebrate Mortals Heavenly Worldly Clay Scorn Hail Redeemer Archangel

Book:The Works of Thomas Chatterton ...: Life of Chatterton, by G. Gregory. Miscellaneous poems

Source: The Works of Thomas Chatterton ...: Life of Chatterton, by G. Gregory. Miscellaneous poems

“Happy (if mortals can be) is the man,Who, not by priest but Reason, rules his span:Reason, to its possessor a sure guide,Reason, a thorn in Revelation's side.”

Ifs Men Reason Sides He Man Guides Mortals Revelations Priests

Book:The Poetical Works with Notices of His Life, History of the Rowley Controversy, a Selection of His Letters and Notes Critical and Explanatory: I-II

Source: The Poetical Works with Notices of His Life, History of the Rowley Controversy, a Selection of His Letters and Notes Critical and Explanatory: I-II

“Haste to thie kiste, thie onlie dortoure bedde.Cale, as the claie whiche will gre on thie hedde,Is Charitie and Love aminge highe elves;Knightis and Barons live for pleasure and themselves.”

Pleasure And Love Haste

Book:The Poetical Works of Thomas Chatterton: With Notices of His Life, History of the Rowley Controversy, a Selection of His Letters, and Notes Critical and Explanatory

Source: The Poetical Works of Thomas Chatterton: With Notices of His Life, History of the Rowley Controversy, a Selection of His Letters, and Notes Critical and Explanatory

“The gatherd storme is rype; the bigge drops falle;The forswat meadowes smethe, and drenche the raine;The comyng ghastness do the cattle pall,And the full flockes are drivynge ore the plaine;Dashde from the cloudes the waters flott againe;The welkin opes; the yellow levynne flies;And the hot fierie smothe in the wide lowings dies.”

Dies Water Hot Wide Yellow Cattle

Book:Poetical Works: With Notices of His Life, History of the Rowley Controversy, a Selection of His Letters and Notes Critical and Explanatory

Source: Poetical Works: With Notices of His Life, History of the Rowley Controversy, a Selection of His Letters and Notes Critical and Explanatory

“O, Winter! Put away thy snowy pride; O, Spring! Neglect the cowslip and the bell; O, Summer! Throw thy pears and plums aside; O, Autumn! Bid the grape with poison swell.”

Pride Summer Spring Winter Poison Autumn Neglect Bells Grapes Plums Pears Snowy

Book:The Works of Thomas Chatterton ...: Life of Chatterton, by G. Gregory. Miscellaneous poems

Source: The Works of Thomas Chatterton ...: Life of Chatterton, by G. Gregory. Miscellaneous poems

“There is a time for all things - except marriage, my dear.”

Love Marriage All Things Dear Dear God

Author:Thomas Chatterton

“It is my PRIDE, my damned, native, unconquerable Pride, that plunges me into Distraction. You must know that 19 - 20th of my Composition is Pride. I must either live a Slave, a Servant; to have no Will of my own, no Sentiments of my own which I may freely declare as such; --or DIE --perplexing alternative!”