He may not be so well known today, but Berkhamsted-born poet William Cowper was a literary giant of the 18th century. Stephen Roberts looks at the brilliant and troubled mind of the poet and hymnodist
![Rides Upon The Storm](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/10290/248529/5a044ce4cdfea/Rides-Upon-The-Storm.jpg)
BEING a writer, I’m especially interested in wordsmiths who’ve preceded me, and particularly those who misplaced their marbles - in case there are warning signs to be heeded. Hertfordshire’s William Cowper, pronounced ‘Cooper’, was a case in point. One of the most popular poets of his generation – more than 100 editions of his poems were published in Britain in his lifetime – and described by Coleridge as ‘the best modern poet’, he would, nevertheless, suffer bouts of severe mental ill-health.
William’s father, John, was rector of St Peter’s in Berkhamsted from 17221756. William was born in the rectory on November 26, 1731 and baptised in his father’s church. If his start sounds solid, his early life was filled with tragedy. He and his brother John were the only two of seven siblings to live past infancy and his mother Ann died in childbirth when William was just six. Things did not improve at school. Education at Aldbury and a place on the Herts-Beds border saw him badly bullied.
After completing his education at Westminster School, adult life began promisingly however and a career as a lawyer beckoned as Cowper took chambers in London’s Middle Temple in 1752, being called to the bar two years later.
His first mental crisis occurred in 1763, when he was in his early 30s. He was offered a clerkship in the House of Lords, requiring an appearance at the bar of the Lords and a test of his suitability. The pressure affected him badly and he attempted to take his own life with poison. His attempt led to an 18-month stay at Nathaniel Cotton’s private Collegium Insanorum in St Albans. Unlike many asylums of the time, his treatment here was progressive.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 2017 من Hertfordshire Life.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 2017 من Hertfordshire Life.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Explosive history
With bonfire night this month, author Harry Smee recounts the explosive story of his family’s firework company, Brock’s, creators of wonders and war-changing weapons
![A Day In The Life Of... A Jewellery Designer](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10290/539332/5f9675971863e/crp_A-day-in-the-life-of-a-jewellery-designer.jpg)
A Day In The Life Of... A Jewellery Designer
Laurie McGrath, senior designer at Harriet Kelsall bespoke jewellery in Halls Green, gives an insight into her working day
![Sniffig out clues in THE ASHES](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10290/539332/5f966c73d8038/crp_Sniffig-out-clues-in-THE-ASHES.jpg)
Sniffig out clues in THE ASHES
Meet the fire investigation dogs securing convictions against arsonists and murderers who otherwise may go free
![The greatest traveller](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10290/539332/5f966a6aca407/crp_The-greatest-traveller.jpg)
The greatest traveller
Exploring ancient civilisations and rising powers, Violet CressyMarcks became the most travelled woman of her age. Fifty years after her death we look at her incredible life
Return of the Queen of Romance
Twenty years after the death of record-breaking novelist Dame Barbara Cartland, Gillian Thornton talks passions, plots and a new audience with her son at the family home in Essendon
![In bed with CELEBS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10290/539332/5f965df3ef3fa/crp_In-bed-with-CELEBS.jpg)
In bed with CELEBS
Marking its 70th year, Welham Green soft furnishings company Ashley Wilde has grown from a pile-it-high, sell-it-cheap business into an industry leader with A-list partnerships
![Roam with a view](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10290/539332/5f9667ab48628/crp_Roam-with-a-view.jpg)
Roam with a view
We may not have coastline or mountains, but Herts has beautiful views all the same, if you know where to look
![Saving Mrs Tiggy-Winkle](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10290/539332/5f96707eb48f5/crp_Saving-Mrs-Tiggy-Winkle.jpg)
Saving Mrs Tiggy-Winkle
The secret life of a much-loved British mammal and simple steps we can take at home to stop its extinction
A walk down Surreal Street
Paul Crowley draws on his graphic designer’s eye to capture scenes from the country to the street, all tinged with surreality
![5 minutes with](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10290/539332/5f966e7112591/crp_5-minutes-with.jpg)
5 minutes with
Carole Spiers, Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce member and founder of International Stress Awareness Week