STEVENS (William Bagshaw). Poems by the Rev. William Bagshaw Steven, A.M.1782

London: Printed for Ab. Portal; R. Faulder; and G. Kearsley, First edition, 4to, [2], 39, [1]pp., no half-title, engraved vignette on title of "May presenting the beauties of Spring, to the contemplation of Retirement in the vicinity of Anchor Church in Derbyshire.", blank fore-edge of title slightly chipped. Born in Abingdon, Berkshire, England in 1756, William Bagshaw Stevens was the son of an apothecary and surgeon. Educated at Magdalen College, Oxford, Stevens was appointed assistant master at Repton School and when Dr. Prior, the headmaster, died in 1779, Stevens was chosen to succeed him. Apparently Stevens was never reconciled to the life of teaching, which he disliked, much preferring to spend his time writing poetry. He had published a book of poetry at the early age of nineteen entitled INDIAN ODES. This book had received good reviews and he was welcomed into the Lichfield literary circle presided over by Anna Seward. His later poetry was not well received by his contemporaries. His journal was published in 1965 by the Clarendon Press and was also edited by Georgina Galbraith. The book here offered is the first and only collected edition of his works and was published to supplement his Journal. Some of the poems in the section entitled "Light Verse" were addressed to Fanny Coutts or are inspired by his love for her. (Taken from the 1971 reprint of this work].