The 18th century was a transformative period in British poetry. It was an era that saw the flourishing of Neoclassicism and the gradual emergence of Romanticism. Among the many poets of the time, William Collins (1721–1759) stands as a significant yet often overlooked figure. His poetry, though limited in quantity, was deeply influential in shaping the transition from the rigid formality of Neoclassicism to the emotional depth of Romanticism. As an 18th Century British poet, Collins is remembered for his expressive lyricism, innovative themes, and profound exploration of human emotions. His work remains an essential subject of study for those who appreciate the evolution of British poetry.
Early Life and Education
William Collins was born in Chichester, England, in 1721. His father was a respectable hatter, which allowed Collins to receive a formal education. He attended Winchester College, where he was introduced to classical literature, and later proceeded to Magdalen College, Oxford. Collins showed an early interest in poetry and literary pursuits, which he cultivated during his university years. However, despite his evident talent, he struggled with financial instability and a restless spirit that made him ill-suited for a conventional career.
Literary Beginnings and Early Works
Collins’s poetic journey began with the publication of his first works, including Persian Eclogues (1742). This collection, later retitled Oriental Eclogues, was an attempt to infuse British poetry with exotic themes and imagery. It reflected the 18th-century British fascination with the East and demonstrated Collins’s ability to blend classical influences with new and imaginative settings. The poems in this collection were notable for their vivid descriptions, melancholic undertones, and an emerging sense of personal emotion that would become characteristic of his later work.
The Odes and Poetic Innovation
Collins’s most celebrated contribution to British poetry came in 1746 with the publication of Odes on Several Descriptive and Allegorical Subjects. This collection included some of his most well-known poems, such as Ode to Evening, Ode on the Poetical Character, and Ode on the Popular Superstitions of the Highlands of Scotland. These poems exemplify his unique poetic style, which combined classical influences with a growing sensitivity to nature and emotion.
One of his most famous works, Ode to Evening, is a prime example of his skill in capturing mood and atmosphere. Written in unrhymed verse, the poem conveys a sense of stillness and contemplation, foreshadowing the Romantic movement that would emerge later in British poetry. The poem’s personification of evening as a gentle and mysterious force showcases Collins’s ability to evoke deep emotion through imagery and diction.
Similarly, Ode on the Poetical Character explores the role of the poet as a visionary and divine figure. This ode reflects Collins’s admiration for Milton and Spenser, indicating his connection to both classical traditions and a growing departure towards a more introspective and imaginative style. In Ode on the Popular Superstitions of the Highlands of Scotland, Collins delves into folklore and mythology, demonstrating his fascination with the mystical and supernatural aspects of human experience. This interest in folklore would later influence poets of the Romantic era, such as William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
Collins’s Influence on British Poetry
Despite his relatively small body of work, Collins had a lasting impact on British poetry. His exploration of emotion, nature, and the supernatural marked a significant shift away from the structured and rational approach of Neoclassicism. Unlike Alexander Pope, whose poetry was defined by wit and intellectual rigor, Collins embraced emotion and intuition, paving the way for the later developments of Romanticism.
Collins’s emphasis on atmosphere and sentiment influenced poets such as Thomas Gray, whose Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard shares thematic similarities with Collins’s reflective and melancholic style. Moreover, poets of the Romantic movement, including John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley, drew inspiration from Collins’s ability to evoke powerful emotions through nature and personal reflection.
Struggles and Decline
Despite his literary promise, Collins’s life was marked by struggle and tragedy. He faced ongoing financial difficulties and, as time passed, his mental health began to deteriorate. By the late 1740s, he showed signs of severe depression, which eventually led to a complete breakdown. He was admitted to an asylum, where he spent the last years of his life in relative obscurity. He passed away in 1759 at the age of 37, leaving behind a legacy that would only be fully appreciated after his death.
Posthumous Recognition and Legacy
Following his death, Collins’s work began to receive greater recognition. His friend and fellow poet, Samuel Johnson, included a biographical account of Collins in Lives of the English Poets, noting both his genius and his unfortunate fate. Later critics and scholars acknowledged Collins’s role in the evolution of British poetry, particularly in bridging the gap between Neoclassicism and Romanticism.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, literary historians revisited Collins’s work with a renewed appreciation for his lyricism and thematic depth. His ability to capture subtle emotions and his pioneering use of natural imagery placed him among the most influential poets of his time. Today, Collins is considered a crucial figure in 18th-century British poetry, not only for his artistic achievements but also for his role in shaping the poetic sensibilities of future generations.
Conclusion
William Collins remains one of the most intriguing figures in 18th-century British poetry. His limited but profound body of work reflects a poetic vision that was ahead of its time. Through his odes and lyrical compositions, he introduced themes and stylistic elements that would later flourish in the Romantic era. His exploration of emotion, nature, and the supernatural set him apart from many of his contemporaries and ensured his lasting place in the history of British poetry.
Though his life was tragically short, Collins’s influence continues to be felt. His legacy endures through his evocative poetry, which remains an essential subject of literary study. As an 18th-century British poet, he exemplifies the transitional period between Neoclassicism and Romanticism, making his contributions invaluable to the evolution of English literature. Today, his work serves as a testament to the power of poetry to capture the deepest human emotions and the beauty of the natural world.
