Lives of the English Poets: From Johnson to Kirke White, Designed as a Continuation of Johnson's Lives

"Lives of the English Poets" by Henry Francis Cary is a biographical compilation written in the mid-19th century. This work is designed as a continuation of Samuel Johnson's earlier lives of poets, focusing on notable English poets from Johnson's time up to Kirke White. The book explores the lives, influences, and contributions of these poets, offering insights into their characters and works. The beginning of "Lives of the English Poets" provides an overview of Samuel Johnson's life, detailing his upbringing, education, and the formative experiences that shaped him as a writer. It illustrates his struggles with poverty and health issues, his intellectual pursuits, and the various literary endeavors he embarked upon throughout his life. Cary sets the stage by chronicling Johnson's eccentricities and character traits, painting a vivid picture of the man behind the literary legacy, thus inviting readers into the world of one of England's greatest literary figures.