Web Quotableonline.com Frasescelebres.org Greatbookscollection.org

William Cowper (pronounced Cooper) (November 15,
1731 – April 25, 1800) was an English poet and
hymnodist.

He was born in Great Berkhamstead, Hertfordshire,
England.

William Cowper was one of the most popular poets
of his time. He changed the direction of
18th-century nature poetry by writing of everyday
life and scenes of the English countryside.

He suffered from periods of severe depression,
which caused him frequently to doubt his fervent
evangelical Christianity, the source of his
much-loved hymns - going so far once as to express
his dismayed surprise at ever having written a
particular hymn.

Cowper died in East Dereham, Norfolk.


Works

    * Olney Hymns, 1779, in collaboration with
John Newton
    * John Gilpin, 1782
    * The Task, 1785
    * Homer, 1791 (translation from the Greek)



Quotations

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
    Olney Hymns (1779) 'Light Shining out of
Darkness'

Variety\'s the very spice of life,
That gives it all its flavour.
    The Task (1785) 'The Timepiece\'

I am monarch of all I survey,
    'Verses Supposed to be Written by Alexander
Selkirk' (1782)