The Friendship

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The friendship between William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge produced remarkable results, notably Lyrical Ballads, which ignited the Romantic movement in England. This modern biography uniquely examines their relationship together, restoring balance to a narrative marred by bitterness. Rarely have two such talented writers collaborated so closely; Coleridge regarded Wordsworth as the greatest poet since Milton, while he himself was recognized as a genius of his time. In the summer of 1797, they began meeting almost daily, often joined by Wordsworth's sister, Dorothy, whose vibrant spirit and connection to nature inspired much of their work. The trio spent time outdoors, reveling in the beauty of their surroundings and seeking solace from the dehumanizing forces of their era. In their shared enthusiasm, these idealistic young men envisioned a poem that would succeed where the French Revolution had failed—one that could change the world. However, the intensity of their friendship led to rivalry and tension, culminating in a painful quarrel and a complete break, with only a partial reconciliation later. Ultimately, the great poem they dreamed of was never realized.