ABSTRACT
The appearance of Coleridge's Biographia Literaria in July 1817 may have come as a welcome relief to Southey. It is ironic that by the time Southey was appointed Poet Laureate in 1813 he no longer regarded poetry as his literary vocation. During the 1800s, however, Southey began to define himself less as a poet. Although part of the reason was the heavy criticism he received in the Edinburgh Review, he often claimed not to care what the reviews thought about his work. There was also a personal reason for the move away from poetry. Despite Landor's reassurances to the contrary, Southey felt his powers were in 'incipient decay'. In 1812 the incumbent Louis Dutens died, and Southey made clear his desire for a position that he would discharge with 'pride and diligence'. Southey had a high opinion of the importance of his work, and the qualifications he possessed for performing it.
