Henry James Pye facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry James Pye
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Henry James Pye, circa 1800-1808.
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| Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom | |
| In office 28 July 1790 – 11 August 1813 |
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| Monarch | George III |
| Preceded by | Thomas Warton |
| Succeeded by | Robert Southey |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 10 February 1744 Faringdon House, Berkshire, England |
| Died | 11 August 1813 (aged 69) Pinner, Middlesex, England |
| Resting place | Pinner's parish church of St John the Baptist |
| Spouse | Martha Corbett (1801–1813) his death |
| Children | Harry James Pye |
| Alma mater | Magdalen College, Oxford |
| Occupation | Poet Laureate |
Henry James Pye (born 10 February 1744 – died 11 August 1813) was an English poet. He held the important job of Poet Laureate from 1790 until he passed away. This role meant he was the official poet for the King. Many people thought he wasn't a very good poet, and some even called him a "poetaster", which means someone who writes bad poetry.
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The Life of Henry James Pye
Henry James Pye was born in London in 1744. His father was Henry Pye, and his family lived at Faringdon House in Berkshire, England. He was also the nephew of Admiral Thomas Pye. Henry studied at Magdalen College in Oxford.
When his father passed away in 1766, Henry inherited a lot of debt. A fire at his family home also made things harder for him.
Pye's Political Career
In 1784, Henry James Pye became a Member of Parliament for Berkshire. This meant he helped make laws for the country. Because of his money problems, he had to sell his family's estate. He left Parliament in 1790. After that, he worked as a police magistrate in Westminster.
Becoming Poet Laureate
Even though many people didn't think he was a great poet, Henry Pye really wanted to be known for his poetry. He published many books of poems. In 1790, he was made Poet Laureate. This might have been a reward for supporting William Pitt the Younger in the House of Commons.
Many people found his appointment quite funny. His birthday odes, which were poems written for the King's birthday, were often made fun of. A famous historian, Lord Blake, even called Pye "the worst Poet Laureate in English history." Robert Southey, who became Poet Laureate after Pye, joked that he was "rhyming as doggedly and dully as if my name had been Henry James Pye."
Henry Pye was the first Poet Laureate to get a fixed salary of £270. Before him, the poet laureate received a special amount of Canary wine.
Pye's Writing Style
While his poetry was often criticized, Henry Pye was a decent writer of prose. Prose means regular writing, not poetry. He enjoyed writing comments and summaries. For example, he wrote a "Commentary on Shakespeare's commentators." He also wrote notes for his translation of Aristotle's Poetics.
Even if he wasn't a great poet, he was certainly not foolish. He once wrote that a character named Sir Charles Grandison was "much more unnatural" than Caliban, a monster from Shakespeare's play.
Pye's Family and Death
Henry James Pye passed away in Pinner, Middlesex, on 11 August 1813. He is buried in the parish church of St John the Baptist in Pinner.
Pye was married twice. He had two daughters with his first wife. In 1801, he married Martha Corbett. They had a son named Henry John Pye. This son later inherited an estate and became the High Sheriff of Staffordshire in 1840.
Pye's Published Works
Henry James Pye wrote different types of works, including prose, poetry, and translations.
Prose Works
- Summary of the Duties of a Justice of the Peace out of Sessions (1808)
- The Democrat (1795)
- The Aristocrat (1799)
Poetry Collections
- Poems on Various Subjects (1787) - This was his first major collection of poems.
- Adelaide: a Tragedy in Five Acts (1800)
- Alfred (1801)
Translations
- Aristotle's Poetics (1792)
Images for kids
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Henry James Pye, circa 1800-1808.
