Wordsworth's Grave

On the 23rd April 1850, at Rydal Mount, the famed Lakeland poet William Wordsworth died of pleurisy, which had developed from a cold he caught on a country walk. He was 80 years old.

Born on 7th April 1770 in Cockermouth, Wordsworth went on to find fame as a poet, his most famous work is no doubt “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud”, reflecting his love of nature, but he produced many works not least the deeply personal, and very long “The Prelude” published in the year of his death, which deals with many of his magical early experiences.

In 1799 Wordsworth moved to Dove Cottage in Grasmere, living there with his sister Dorothy and in 1802 he married Mary Hutchinson. In 1813 he was appointed “Distributer of Stamps for Westmorland” which meant he could distribute the duty stamps used on legal documents and in 1843 following the death of Robert Southey he became Poet Laureate. Although he at first refused this honour due to his age, he was ultimately persuaded by Robert Peel, the then Prime Minister, who assured him he would have no duties to perform.

William Wordsworth was buried in St Oswald's Churchyard, Grasmere, named after the 7th century Northumbrian King who was said to have preached Christianity on the site. Wordsworth had previously planted 8 yew trees in the churchyard, one of which marks his grave. His tombstone is simple but is one of the most visited literary shrines in the world. He is buried next to his wife Mary, who died 9 years after him and many other members of his family lie nearby. Wordsworth also has a monument in “Poets Corner” in Westminster Abbey.