Robert Southey (1774 – 1843)
Southey was an English poet of the Romantic school, and Poet laureate from 1813 until his death on 21 March 1843.
The memorial to Robert Southey (Poet Laureate 1813 – 1843) in St Kentigern’s Church, Crosthwaite near Keswick in the Lake District, Cumbria.
Robert Southey lived at Greta Hall in Keswick. He wrote the original story of ‘Goldilocks and the Three Bears’. His version was simply called, 'The story of the Three Bears'.
The epitaph was written by William Wordsworth, who succeeded him in the post of Poet Laureate:
"Ye Vales and Hills, whose beauty hither drew.
The poet's steps, and fixed him here, on you.
His eyes have closed."
Robert Southey's grave in the churchyard of The Parish Church of St. Kentigern at Crosthwaite near Keswick in the Lake District, Cumbria.
St. Kentigern's Church at Crosthwaite near Keswick in the Lake District, Cumbria.
The present building dates from 1523 and stands on a site founded by St.Kentigern himself in 543. There was much restoration work restoration carried out in 1844 by Sir George Gilbert Scott. The poet Robert Southey, and founder of the National Trust, Canon Rawnsley are buried in the churchyard.
Mirehouse, Bassenthwaite in the Lake District, Cumbria: Built in 1666 by the Earl of Derby, Mirehouse has been the family home of the Spedding family since 1802. James Spedding wrote ‘The Life and Letters of Frances Bacon’ and the family has entertained many literary guests at the house, including Thomas Carlyle, Robert Southey, William Wordsworth and Alfred (Lord) Tennyson.
House and gardens open to the public. Entrance charge.
N.B. Photo taken from a public footpath.