"Unboastful Bard": Originally Anonymous English Romantic Poetry Book Publication, 1770-1835

Abstract

IN THE 1770S SIXTY PERCENT of all poetry books were published anonymously, but by the period's final decade from 1826 to 1835 only twenty-five percent were. As the reading public grew larger, and as improved printing technology allowed for the production of more and cheaper books, a few poets could become independent of patronage, could support themselves through their poetry, and could aspire to become professionals in a developing print culture. 1 But to be a bad poet was as embarrassing and unrespectable as ever, especially for a gentleman or a lady. In the late eighteenth century this meant that, while young gentlemen or young ladies might write poetry, publishing secretly at first was usual because no one wanted a reputation as a laughably awkward poet. One could test one's poetic wings in print and see if others thought one was soaring magnificently astride Pegasus or rocking ridiculously aboard a hobby-horse. And if disappointed, an anonymous author could abandon hopes of poetic fame without enduring public humiliation.