Lives of the English Poets (ePub)

Rev. Henry Francis Cary (1772-1844) was an English translator, best known for his blank verse translation of 'The Divine Comedy' by Dante Alighieri. Born in Gibraltar, Cary was educated at Christ Church, Oxford, where he began his indisputable journey as a scholar and writer. His translation of 'The Divine Comedy' was initially published in 1814 and though it received little attention at first, it gained popularity after the publication of a revised edition supported by the prominent British poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Cary's work is often celebrated for its preservation of Dante's terza rima structure and for capturing the essence of Dante's original text, making it accessible to the English reader. Apart from his famous Dante translation, Cary contributed significantly to biographical literature with works such as 'Lives of the English Poets' where he explored the biographies and literary contributions of English poets. His literary style is characterized by a precise and thoughtful conveyance of the original texts, often reflecting his scholarly background and reverent approach to translation and biographical research. Cary held various literary positions, including assistant librarian at the British Museum. Through his work, he left an indelible mark on the field of translation and biographical literature, enlightening and inspiring future generations of readers and scholars alike.