William Hayley facts for kids

William Hayley by Henry Howard

William Hayley (born November 9, 1745 – died November 12, 1820) was an English writer. He is best known for writing the life story of his friend, the poet William Cowper.

William Hayley's Life Story

William Hayley was born in Chichester, England. He went to Eton College in 1757. Later, he studied at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, starting in 1762. He also joined the Middle Temple in London, but he didn't practice law.

In 1774, William Hayley moved to his family's estate in Eartham, Sussex. He had enough money from his family to live there comfortably. Today, the Great Ballard School is located where his home used to be.

Friendships and Fame

William Hayley was very famous in his time. In 1790, he was offered the job of Poet Laureate. This is a special title given to a poet who writes poems for the country. However, Hayley turned down the offer.

In 1792, while writing a book about the poet John Milton, Hayley met William Cowper. They became very good friends. Their friendship lasted until Cowper's death in 1800. Hayley even helped Cowper get a special payment from the government.

In 1800, Hayley also lost his son, Thomas Alphonso Hayley. He was very sad about this. His son had been a student of the sculptor John Flaxman. Flaxman later introduced Hayley to another famous artist, William Blake.

After 1800, Hayley moved to a new home in Felpham, Sussex. William Blake lived near him for three years. Blake helped Hayley by creating pictures for his book, The Life of Cowper. This book was published between 1803 and 1804. It is Hayley's most famous work.

William Hayley passed away in Felpham on November 12, 1820.

William Hayley's Writings

Hayley wrote many different kinds of works. In 1771, he wrote a tragedy play called The Afflicted Father. He also translated a French play, Rodogune, into English.

He became well-known for his long poems and essays. Some of these include:

• Poetical Epistle to an Eminent Painter (1778), written for his friend, the painter George Romney.
• Essay on History (1780), for the historian Edward Gibbon.
• Essay on Epic Poetry (1782).
• A Philosophical Essay on Old Maids (1785).
• The Triumphs of Temper (1781). This poem was very popular and was printed many times.

In 1789, his play Marcella was performed in London.

Later, in 1805, he published Ballads founded on Anecdotes of Animals. This book had pictures drawn by William Blake. In 1809, he wrote The Life of Romney, a biography of his friend George Romney. For the last twelve years of his life, Hayley worked on writing his own life story, called his Memoirs.

William Hayley's Impact

William Hayley was important because he supported and befriended many artists. These included William Blake, George Romney, John Flaxman, and Joseph Wright of Derby.

In 2007, an art show called "Poets in the Landscape: the Romantic Spirit in British Art" explored Hayley's role. It showed how he helped these famous artists. The gallery where the show was held is located near where Hayley was born. A painting of Hayley by George Romney is still on display there.

William Hayley's Family

In 1769, William Hayley married Eliza Ball. She was the daughter of Thomas Ball, a church leader in Chichester. Eliza Ball Hayley was also a writer and translator.

She translated two essays from a French writer into English. These were published in 1780 as Essays on Friendship and Old Age. Later, in 1796, she wrote her own essay called The Triumph of Acquaintance over Friendship.

Eliza and William separated in 1789. She passed away in 1797. William Hayley said their separation was due to her mental illness. In 1809, he married Mary Welford, but they also separated after three years. William Hayley did not have any other children.

Images for kids

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  Plaque at the site of Hayley's home in Felpham, Sussex

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  Plaque at the site of Hayley's home in Eartham, Sussex

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  Hayley's son, Thomas Alphonso.

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  Mary Welford (after George Engleheart, circa 1790)