John Keats was born in London in 1795. He and his siblings were orphaned at a young age - his father died in a riding accident in 1804 and his mother died six years later. Keats then left Enfield school to train as an apothecary and a surgeon but he was to leave his profession to dedicate his time to poetry. His first volume, Poems, was published in 1817 and only two more volumes, in 1818 and 1820, were published during his lifetime. In 1818 he fell in love with his neighbour Fanny Brawne, but he broke off their engagement due to his increasing ill health and lack of funds. In 1820 he moved to Italy where he died a year later of tuberculosis, the disease that claimed his mother and his brother Tom.
16 May 2002
Cover of Selected Letters

Selected Letters

Nov 8, 1971
Cover of Choice of Verse

Choice of Verse

Feb 1969
Cover of New Romans

New Romans

Apr 12, 1966
Cover of Howard Hughes

Howard Hughes

Mar 1, 1965
Cover of The Naughty Boy

The Naughty Boy