John Keats (1795-1821)

English Romantic Poet

John Keats is one of the most famous romantic poets born in London. Romanticism came about in the latter half of the 18th century, during the Industrial Revolution, perhaps as a revolt to the objective rationality of science brought about by the Age of Enlightenment - Complete Poems.

Although Keats died in relative obscurity in 1821 at the age of 25 he is recognized as one of the greatest English poets of the Romantic age. His last days were spent at the villa he shared with Percy Bysshe Shelley on the Spanish Steps in Rome.

keats-shelley-house

Keats House

So named after the great Romantic poet, Keats lived here between 1818 and 1820. It is thought that during this time he was at his most prolific, writing some of his most famous poems. It would be wrong to say that the museum is dedicated solely to Keats, rather the museum celebrates poetry in general.

The museum, which reopened in July 2009 after a refurbishment, thanks to a heritage lottery grant, is a Grade I listed building and has been restored and decorated to reflect the original Regency style. A beautiful slice of history in an otherwise contemporary north London area.

The house also boasts a garden, which as with the building itself, has been redesigned to reflect the period in which Keats lived. The garden is free to visit, and the abundance of fruit trees and plants make it a popular choice with locals in search of that perfect picnic spot.

Bright Star

Bright Star: Love Letters and Poems of John Keats to Fanny Brawne

The reopening of Keats House, was followed, a few months later, by the release of 'Bright Star', a film exploring the romance between John Keats and Fanny Brawne.

Unusually, a location in Bedfordshire substituted Keats House for the filming of Wentworth Place. Keats House did, however, host the aftershow party for the premiere in London.

Keats Poems

September 1818 was the 'Great Year' when Keats wrote many of his poems such as The Eve of St Agnes, The Eve of St Mark, the Ode to Psyche, La Belle Dame Sans Merci, Ode to a Nightingale. He was born in London on 29 October 1795 and died of consumption on 23 February 1821 in Rome.

Keats, Lord Byron and Percy Bysshe Shelley were all key figures of the Romantic Movement.

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