The Letters of John Keats

This collection presents 214 letters by John Keats, edited to enhance understanding of the poet's life, relationships, and literary contributions.

This centenary collection, titled The Letters of John Keats, features 214 letters penned by the renowned Romantic poet John Keats (1795–1821). Edited by Harry Buxton Forman (1842–1917), this 1895 publication includes a mix of lively, heartfelt, and candid correspondence directed towards his family, friends, and fiancée. Forman's aim was to present a comprehensive view of Keats, which he believed was essential to understanding the poet's character and artistry. The collection also contains several previously unpublished letters, providing readers with a deeper insight into Keats's life and relationships.

In The Letters of John Keats, readers will find correspondence with significant figures, including letters to his brother George, who resided in America, and to his beloved fiancée, Fanny Brawne. Forman's earlier edition of the letters to Brawne had sparked controversy due to their intimate nature, leading to debates about the appropriateness of their publication. Nevertheless, Forman chose to include these letters in the 1895 collection to enrich the portrayal of Keats and offer a fuller understanding of his emotional landscape.

Ultimately, this collection stands as the most complete assembly of Keats's letters to date, capturing the essence of his thoughts and feelings. Through these letters, readers can appreciate not only the poet's literary genius but also his personal struggles and joys, making The Letters of John Keats an invaluable resource for both scholars and enthusiasts of Romantic literature.