‘Second Generation’ Romantic Poets

A new generation of poets flourishes during the politically turbulent years, 1810–1824. The chief names are Byron, Shelley, and Keats. They are associated with rebellion, solitary genius, lyricism and dying young, but this is an oversimplification. More recent perspectives emphasize social networks, with the journalist and poet Leigh Hunt a key figure. That the second generation can be represented by three names is challenged by the diversity of poets writing during this period, and the variousness of the poetry written. Poetry was at the centre of cultural life.