Selected Poetry

This collection highlights the significant poetry of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, edited by William Empson, showcasing the depth and beauty of his work in Selected Poetry.

In Selected Poetry, a unique collaboration unfolds as 20th-century poet-critic William Empson engages with the works of 19th-century poet-critic Samuel Taylor Coleridge. With the assistance of David Pirie, Empson meticulously curates a selection from Coleridge's vast and often uneven body of work, focusing on the most significant poems. This careful editing and annotation process provides readers with a deeper understanding of Coleridge's poetic genius.

Empson's approach exemplifies his distinct techniques of creative and scholarly reading, offering a fresh perspective on the haunting beauty of Coleridge's poetry. The book serves not only as an introduction to Coleridge's work but also as a testament to the enduring power of his verses. Coleridge's philosophy, articulated in his assertion that the senses should emerge from the mind, adds a layer of complexity to his poetry, inviting readers to explore the intricate relationship between thought and perception.

Samuel Taylor Coleridge, born in 1772 in Devon, England, is celebrated for his contributions to English literature, particularly during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. His collaborations with contemporaries like William Wordsworth produced seminal works such as Lyrical Ballads. Through Selected Poetry, readers are encouraged to engage with Coleridge's most profound poems, including The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Kubla Khan, and appreciate the depth of emotion and thought that defines his legacy.