Southey, Robert, 1774-1843

Robert Southey was born on August 12, 1774. He was a poet, one of the Romantics, and also considered one of the “Lake Poets” along with William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge. He was originally a radical supporter of the French Revolution but moved toward being a conservative later in life. He became the Tory Poet Laureate and they paid him a yearly stipend from then on. Lord Byron accused him of selling his values for money and status. He died on March 21, 1843, leaving behind his second wife, Caroline Anne Bowles, and four living adult children. He is best known for his original story: “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” and his poems: After Blenheim, Joan of Arc, and Roderick: The Last of the Goths.

Mentioned in these documents

[Commonplace Book of Elizabeth Upshur Teackle, 1808-1862]

Journal or Commonplace Book of Elizabeth Upshur Teackle, dating from 1809-1862. It includes letters, poetry, and personal writings of Elizabeth up until 1831. There are writings of her grandson, Upshur B. Quinby, found throughout. There are also loose inserts of letters and other papers.

[Letter from Andrew D. Campbell to Elizabeth Upshur Teackle, c. 1819]

Letter from Andrew D. Campbell to Elizabeth Upshur Teackle, written during a journey from Scotland to Jamaica. In this letter, Campbell writes about his wife's family and recent financial troubles. He also confesses a long-held secret - he has four illegitimate sons, Thomas Hamilton, John Hamilton, James Hamilton Campbell, and Andrew Donaldson Campbell, all born in the Eden region of Cumbria.