Autor: Walter Savage Landor

Walter Savage Landor (1775–1864) was an eminent English writer and poet, whose use of the English language and classical literary forms has been widely acknowledged. Landor, born in Warwick, England, into an affluent family, was recognized not only for his exquisite poetry but also for his prose. His remarkable academic upbringing, which included study at Rugby and Oxford, furnished him with a vast knowledge of the classics, greatly influencing his literary endeavours. Landor“s often underappreciated work spans various genres, including poetry, drama, and prose, showcasing his versatility. Among his extensive bibliography, „Citation and Examination of William Shakspeare, Euseby Treen, Joseph Carnaby, and Silas Gough, Clerk“ stands out as a unique piece of literary criticism. This work, published in 1834, is an imaginary conversation defending Shakespeare against charges of plagiarism and lack of originality. Landor“s distinctive literary style can be characterized by a classical rigor and clarity, as well as a penchant for the epigrammatic form, both of which garnered him the admiration of peers such as Southey and Wordsworth. Despite such high regard among contemporaries and the bestowment of a literary reputation lasting well beyond his era, Landor“s propensity for controversy and his tempestuous temperament often overshadowed his literary achievements.