In this insightful primer, Laurie Magnus provides a concise yet comprehensive introduction to the life and work of William Wordsworth, one of the most important poets of the Romantic era. Magnus offers a close reading of a selection of Wordsworth's major works, including Lyrical Ballads and The Prelude, as well as a critical essay that places them in their historical and literary context. With its lucid prose and keen insights, this book is an ideal starting point for readers seeking to deepen their understanding of Wordsworth's poetry and its enduring relevance. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.