Laurence Eusden facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Laurence Eusden
Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom
In office 10 December 1718 – 27 September 1730
Monarch	George I
Preceded by	Nicholas Rowe
Succeeded by	Colley Cibber
Personal details
Born	1688 Spofforth, West Riding of Yorkshire, England
Died	27 September 1730 Coningsby, England

Laurence Eusden (born 1688 – died 27 September 1730) was an English poet. He became Britain's youngest ever Poet Laureate in 1718. This important job meant he wrote poems for the King.

Laurence Eusden's Life Story

Laurence Eusden was born in Spofforth, England, in 1688. His father, also named Laurence Eusden, was a church leader there. Laurence was baptized on September 6, 1688.

He went to school at St Peter's School, York. Later, he studied at Trinity College at the University of Cambridge. In 1711, he became a junior fellow at his college. A year later, he became a full fellow.

Becoming a Poet Laureate

Laurence Eusden wanted to build a career using his writing skills. He didn't have a lot of family money. He also didn't have powerful relatives to help him. So, he decided to use his talent to get noticed.

He wrote a poem praising the marriage of Thomas Pelham-Holles. This Duke was a very important person called the Lord Chamberlain. The Lord Chamberlain was in charge of the royal household.

Because of this poem, Eusden was chosen as the Poet Laureate in 1718. He was 30 years old at the time. This made him the youngest person ever to hold this special title.

Duties and Later Life

The previous Poet Laureate, Nicholas Rowe, had passed away. Joseph Addison, another famous writer, recommended Eusden for the job.

As Poet Laureate, Eusden had a specific duty. For twelve years, he wrote special poems for the King's birthday. He also wrote poems for New Year's Day.

In the 1720s, Eusden became a church leader himself. He took on the role of rector in Coningsby, Lincolnshire. However, becoming Poet Laureate also brought him some challenges. Other writers and people in society sometimes made fun of him.

Laurence Eusden died in Coningsby on September 27, 1730. He was buried at St Michael and All Angels Church in Coningsby.