William Cowper

NAME William Cowper

WHAT FAMOUS FOR A prominent English poet of the 18th century, renowned for his introspective and deeply personal poetry.

BIRTH Born on November 26, 1731, in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Cowper was the fourth child of Reverend John Cowper, the rector of the Church of St. Peter in Berkhamsted, and Ann Donne Cowper. He was one of only two children out of seven to survive infancy.

His mother was a descendant of Henry III through four separate lines. She died when he was six, deeply affecting him.

Cowper had several notable family connections:

His grandfather, Spencer Cowper, was a noted lawyer and politician.

His father's sister was the poet Judith Madan.

His cousin, Theodora Cowper, was his first love and brief fiancée.

Another cousin, Harriet, married Sir Robert Hesketh and became the "Lady Hesketh" of Cowper's correspondence

CHILDHOOD His early years were marked by sorrow and solitude after his mother’s death. After losing his mother, Cowper grew close to her family, particularly her brother Robert and his wife Harriot. They instilled in young William a love of reading and gave him his first books, including John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress and John Gay's Fables.

Cowper attended boarding schools where he endured bullying, which later influenced his melancholic temperament.

EDUCATION Cowper attended several schools before enrolling at Westminster School in April 1742. At Westminster, he excelled academically despite experiencing bullying. He studied under headmaster John Nicoll and made lifelong friends. Cowper developed a strong foundation in Latin, becoming skilled in interpretation, translation, and composition. He read through Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, sparking a lifelong love for these epics.

After Westminster, Cowper was articled to Mr. Chapman, a solicitor, to train for a legal career. However, his struggles with mental health would eventually prevent him from pursuing law, leading him instead to a life of poetry and religious contemplation.

CAREER RECORD Cowper initially pursued a legal career but transitioned to writing after a mental health crisis. He produced lyrical poetry, hymns, and satirical works.

APPEARANCE Descriptions depict Cowper as slender, with delicate features and a melancholic air.

A 1792 portrait by Lemuel Francis Abbott

FASHION He favored simple, modest attire reflecting his evangelical beliefs and rural lifestyle.

CHARACTER Cowper was gentle, sensitive, and introspective. His struggles with mental health often made him reclusive but also deeply empathetic.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Cowper’s wit shone in his satirical works, often lampooning societal norms with subtlety and cleverness.

One of Cowper's most famous humorous works is "The Diverting History of John Gilpin," a comic ballad comprising 63 quatrains. This poem tells the story of a man who loses control of his horse and ends up riding much farther than he intended, leaving his wife behind. The poem employs verbal overkill to maximize its comedic effect.

The story follows John Gilpin, a "linen-draper bold," who plans a trip with his wife to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary. While his wife and children travel in a chaise, Gilpin rides a borrowed horse. The humor unfolds as Gilpin loses control of the horse, which gallops all the way to its stable in Ware and then back to Cheapside.

The poem's final lines cleverly incorporate both Cowper and the British throne into the comedy:

"Now let us sing, long live the king,

And Gilpin long live he;

And when he next doth ride abroad,

May I be there to see!"

This humorous tale demonstrates Cowper's ability to find comedy in everyday situations and his skill in crafting lighthearted narratives that leave readers laughing at both the characters and themselves.

RELATIONSHIPS William Cowper's life was deeply intertwined with a network of significant relationships, both romantic and platonic. His first love was his cousin, Theodora Cowper. They were briefly engaged, but their relationship was forbidden due to their familial connection.

Later, after recovering from a mental health crisis, Cowper formed a profound bond with Mary Unwin. Their relationship, though platonic, was often described as a mother-son dynamic. They were briefly engaged, but his mental health issues prevented their marriage.

Cowper also cultivated several significant platonic relationships. His friendship with John Newton, a former slave trader turned pastor, was marked by a shared religious connection and collaborative work on hymns. 

Cowper maintained a long and significant correspondence with Harriet Hesketh, his cousin and close friend. Despite a 19-year period of silence, initiated by Harriet, their connection endured. This hiatus was broken when Harriet sent a congratulatory letter to Cowper upon the publication of his second book of poetry. Their extensive correspondence served as a primary source for the biographies written about Cowper.

Harriett Hesketh (1733 – January 5. 1807)  by Francis Coates

Dr. John Johnson, his cousin, cared for him in his final years, although some of his methods were controversial.

Cowper's relationships were characterized by both his personal charm and the challenges posed by his mental health. He was known to be attractive to women and could be charming and flirtatious. However, his mental health struggles often led to periods of isolation and dependence on his friends. Despite these challenges, Cowper's ability to form deep, intimate connections through letter-writing is evident in his extensive correspondence.

Ultimately, while Cowper never married or had children, his close relationships played a crucial role in his personal well-being and literary career.

MONEY AND FAME William Cowper's life was marked by fluctuations in both wealth and fame. Financially, he often struggled, relying on ad hoc contributions from relatives and the meager fortune of Mrs. Unwin. As his resources dwindled, his financial insecurity became a source of stress, potentially exacerbating his mental health issues. Despite these challenges, efforts were made to improve his financial situation, including lobbying for a sinecure or state pension. Eventually, he was granted a literary pension of £300 per annum, though this came too late to significantly alleviate his financial burdens.

In contrast to his financial struggles, Cowper achieved considerable literary fame. He was one of the most popular poets of his time, revolutionizing 18th-century nature poetry. His works, particularly "The Task," enjoyed widespread readership and critical acclaim, including Coleridge who called Cowper "the best modern poet." His translations of Homer's epics and his hymns, such as "God Moves in a Mysterious Way," further solidified his reputation.

Despite his popularity and literary success, Cowper's wealth did not match his fame. His financial insecurity persisted, highlighting the disparity between his literary achievements and his material circumstances.

FOOD AND DRINK William Cowper's diet, as gleaned from available information, was a mix of simple fare and more refined dishes. As a boy, he enjoyed foraging for wild foods such as rose hips, hawthorn berries, crab apples, blackberries, and blackthorn berries. These wild foods, though "hard fare," appealed to his "boyish appetite."

Cowper also appreciated seafood, as evidenced by his poem "To the Immortal Memory of the Halibut, on Which I Dined This Day." 

His famous quote, "Variety's the very spice of life, that gives it all its flavour," suggests an appreciation for diverse culinary experiences.

MUSIC AND ARTS Although primarily a writer, Cowper appreciated hymns and the use of music in worship, collaborating with John Newton on the "Olney Hymns."

Some of his hymns, such as "God Moves in a Mysterious Way," "There is a Fountain Filled with Blood" and "Oh! For a Closer Walk with God," became enduring parts of Protestant worship. 

Drawing was one of several creative pursuits that Cowper engaged in to manage his mental health and find enjoyment in his daily life. In a letter to John Newton, Cowper discussed his attempts at drawing, mentioning ducks and dabchicks as subjects.

LITERATURE A voracious reader, Cowper was influenced by various literary figures, including Milton and Pope.

As a poet, Cowper revolutionized the genre, moving away from the grand, sweeping landscapes of the Romantic poets and focusing instead on the everyday details of rural life. His masterpiece, "The Task," was an immediate success upon publication in 1785, and his shorter lyrical poems, such as "The Poplar Trees" and "Yardley-Oak," were widely admired. Cowper's humorous side was also evident in his comic ballads, such as "The Journey of John Gilpin."

In the realm of religious writing, Cowper collaborated with John Newton on the "Olney Hymns," a collection of deeply personal and moving hymns. Some of his most famous hymns, including "God Moves in a Mysterious Way" and "Oh! For a Closer Walk with God," continue to be sung in churches today.

Cowper's influence on English literature is undeniable. He is considered a precursor to the Romantic poets, inspiring writers like Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Wordsworth. His innovative use of blank verse and conversational style in "The Task" was groundbreaking for its time. Cowper's legacy as one of the most important English poets between Alexander Pope and William Wordsworth endures.

Cowper made significant contributions to translation, producing notable English renderings of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey. 

Cowper is also considered one of the best letter writers in English literature.

Cowper's many fans include Jane Austen's Sense And Sensibility character Marianne, who said her suitors must have the appropriate voice for reading his works.

Numerous biographies of Cowper have been written, focusing on his poetry, religious contributions, and struggles with mental health. Notable works include The Stricken Deer by David Cecil, which explores his complex personality and faith.

NATURE William Cowper's deep appreciation for nature was a significant aspect of his life and work. His poetry brought a fresh perspective to 18th-century nature poetry, focusing on the beauty and nuances of the English countryside and the joys and sorrows of rural life. This emphasis on nature positions Cowper as a forerunner of the Romantic movement.

Cowper's love for nature extended beyond his writing. He enjoyed firsthand experiences of the natural world, such as foraging for wild foods. He also found spiritual significance in nature, viewing it as a reflection of God's creation.

Cowper had a particular fondness for gardens and cultivated spaces. He maintained his own garden, which is now part of the Cowper and Newton Museum. In his writings, he often idealized gardens as resembling a pre-lapsarian state. He also appreciated the beauty of landscaped areas, such as his neighbor's "lime walk" with its cathedral-like arched trees.

PETS Cowper was devoted to his pet hares, which he wrote about tenderly, highlighting his love for animals.

He wrote a poem called "The Colubriad" inspired by an incident involving a snake and three kittens in his outhouse.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Gardening and letter-writing were his primary pastimes. He also enjoyed walking in the countryside.

Cowper found solace and occupation in carpentry, a hobby he pursued with enthusiasm. Cowper wrote to William Unwin on April 6, 1780, mentioning that "The necessity of amusement makes me sometimes write verses; it made me a carpenter, a birdcage-maker..."

He often turned to carpentry as a means of amusement, particularly during periods of recovery from his mental health struggles. His engagement with the craft allowed him to focus on the tangible and to find satisfaction in the process of creation. Through carpentry, Cowper not only occupied his time but also experienced a sense of accomplishment and purpose.

SCIENCE AND MATHS  Cowper showed little interest in science or mathematics, focusing instead on theology and the arts.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY William Cowper's life took a significant turn towards faith after a period of mental illness and institutionalization. He found solace in evangelical Christianity, a belief system deeply influenced by his friendship with John Newton, the author of "Amazing Grace." Together, they collaborated on the "Olney Hymns," a collection of religious verse reflecting their shared spiritual convictions.

Cowper's theology emphasized God's mysterious ways and sovereign control. His famous poem "Light Shining out of Darkness" (later written as the hymn ("God Moves In a Mysterious Hymn") encapsulates this belief, with the line "God moves in a mysterious way.  His wonders to perform." He viewed life's challenges as part of God's inscrutable plan, believing that even the darkest times held the promise of divine blessing. However, Cowper also wrestled with deep personal doubt, struggling to reconcile his faith with his experiences of despair.

Cowper's writings also reflected a concern for moral and social issues. He was a vocal opponent of slavery, penning several anti-slavery poems that supported the Abolitionist cause. His work often expressed sympathy for the poor and downtrodden, demonstrating a commitment to social justice. He also championed the value of simple rural life, criticizing the artificiality of urban society.

Throughout his life, Cowper grappled with the tension between faith and doubt. Despite his deep religious convictions, he often feared for his salvation, tormented by the belief that he was destined for eternal damnation. His hymns and poems reflect this ongoing struggle, expressing both spiritual assurance and deep anxiety. Cowper's work serves as a poignant reminder of the human experience, exploring the challenges of maintaining faith in the face of mental anguish and perceived divine absence.

POLITICS While not overtly political, his poetry, such as "The Task," sometimes touched on social and political issues.

SCANDAL Cowper’s institutionalization for insanity in 1763 shocked some, but his transparency about his struggles gained him sympathy and admiration.

MILITARY RECORD Cowper's writings occasionally alluded to national and moral conflicts.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS William Cowper's life was deeply marked by significant mental health struggles. He suffered from severe depression, experiencing multiple episodes throughout his life. Modern psychiatrists speculate that he may have had bipolar disorder, characterized by cycles of depression and mania.

Cowper's mental health issues led to several suicide attempts, particularly during periods of intense depression. His first documented attempt occurred in 1763, before an examination for a clerkship position. To address his condition, he was admitted to Dr. Nathaniel Cotton's asylum at St. Alban's. While his Christian faith provided some relief, he continued to grapple with doubts about his salvation. To manage his symptoms, Cowper engaged in various activities, including daily walks, gardening, carpentry, caring for animals, and immersing himself in nature.

His mental health challenges significantly impacted his life and career. They prevented him from pursuing a career in law and profoundly influenced his poetry and hymn writing. Despite his struggles, Cowper experienced periods of productivity and even joy. His life and work offer a poignant reflection of the interplay between mental illness, creativity, and faith in the 18th century.

HOMES Born in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, Cowper spent his early years in his family home.

As an adult, he moved to Huntingdon to live with the Unwin family following a period of mental illness. Later, he moved to Olney, Buckinghamshire, residing at Orchard Side house from 1768 to 1786. It was during this time that he produced some of his most renowned works. Subsequently, he relocated to Weston Underwood, a nearby village, where he continued his literary pursuits.

In his later years, Cowper moved to Norfolk. He resided in North Tuddenham, Dunham Lodge near Swaffham, and Mundesley. Finally, he settled in East Dereham, where he lived with the Johnsons after Mary Unwin's paralysis.

TRAVEL Cowper rarely traveled beyond his local environs, preferring the tranquility of his home.

DEATH William Cowper passed away on April 25, 1800, in East Dereham, Norfolk. His final years were marked by a decline in health and a deepening depression. In the spring of 1800, he suffered from edema, a condition that further weakened his frail body.

During this time, his mental health deteriorated significantly, with chronic depression bordering on insanity. His final poem, "The Castaway," reflects this despair and sense of abandonment.

Cowper was laid to rest in the chapel of St Thomas of Canterbury, within St Nicholas's Church in East Dereham. A stained-glass window, installed in 1905, commemorates his life, depicting him in a purple dressing gown with his beloved pet hares. Additionally, the Cowper Memorial Congregational Church, built on the site of his last residence in Dereham's Market Place, stands as a tribute to his legacy. A memorial stone outside the church bears lines from "The Task," reflecting his troubled state of mind in his final years.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Cowper has been celebrated in biographies, academic works, and church histories.

The Cowper and Newton Museum in Olney, Buckinghamshire, celebrates his life and literary contributions. The museum’s exhibits include personal artifacts, manuscripts, and letters.

Cowper’s phrases, such as “God moves in a mysterious way” and “to go the whole hog,” are frequently quoted in religious and secular contexts, demonstrating his linguistic impact.

ACHIEVEMENTS A significant figure in the Romantic movement, his poetry continues to be admired for its emotional depth and technical brilliance. Cowper's legacy as a poet and hymn writer profoundly influenced English literature and Christian thought. His struggles and achievements resonate, making him a figure of both literary and spiritual inspiration.

Source Classicalpoets.org