1. Coventry Kersey Dighton Patmore was an English poet and literary critic.
24 Facts About Coventry Patmore
1. 2.
Coventry Patmore is best known for his book of poetry The Angel in the House, a narrative poem about the Victorian ideal of a happy marriage.
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The eldest son of author Peter George Patmore, Coventry Patmore was born at Woodford in Essex and was privately educated.
4.
On his return to England, Peter Patmore planned to publish some of his son's youthful poems; however, Coventry Patmore had become interested in science, and set aside writing poetry.
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In 1846, with help from Richard Monckton Milnes, Coventry Patmore was appointed as the printed book supernumary assistant at the British Museum.
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Coventry Patmore would hold this position for the next 19 years, while devoting his spare time to writing poetry.
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In 1847, Coventry Patmore married Emily Augusta Andrews, the daughter of Dr Andrews of Camberwell.
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Coventry Patmore is considered to have had a significant role in the creation of The Children's Garland, her husband's anthology of poems.
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However, Coventry Patmore was more upset by a harsh review of his work in Blackwood's Magazine.
10.
Discouraged, Coventry Patmore bought up the remainder of the edition and destroyed it.
11.
Coventry Patmore's friends encouraged him to keep writing and gave him valuable feedback.
12.
Coventry Patmore wrote an important letter to The Times on the subject, and stirred up much enthusiasm among his colleagues.
13.
Coventry Patmore introduced academic David Masson to Emily Rosaline Orme, his wife Emily's niece, both of whom were strong supporters for women's suffrage and rights.
14.
In 1853, Coventry Patmore republished Tamerton Church Tower, the more successful of his pieces from Poems of 1844.
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Coventry Patmore added several new poems that showed more sophistication in conception and treatment.
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In 1854, Coventry Patmore published the first part of his best-known poem, The Angel in the House.
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On 5 July 1862 Emily Coventry Patmore died after a long illness, and shortly afterwards Coventry Patmore joined the Roman Catholic Church.
18.
In 1864 Coventry Patmore married Marianne Byles, daughter of James Byles of Bowden Hall, Gloucester.
19.
Coventry Patmore purchased Buxted Hall in Surrey in 1865, which he described in How I managed my Estate.
20.
In 1877 Coventry Patmore published The Unknown Eros, which some commentators believe contains his finest poetic work, and in 1878 Amelia, his own favourite among his poems, together with an essay on English Metrical Law.
21.
Coventry Patmore had a deep friendship with the poet Alice Meynell, lasting several years.
22.
Coventry Patmore ultimately fell in love with her, forcing Meynell to end their relationship.
23.
In later years Coventry Patmore lived at Lymington, where he died in 1896.
24.
Coventry Patmore is today one of the least-known but best-regarded Victorian poets.