Spenser

1970 · ref. 120367AB — 1970. Oxford Clarendon Press 1970. 14.5 cm x 22 cm. 230 pages. Illustrated. Includes a Map of Ireland. Original Hardcover with original dustjacket in protective collector's mylar. Excellent condition with only very minor signs of wear. Some occasional fine markings in text with pencil. Includes: Illustrations / Bibliographical Note / A View of the Present State of Ireland / Commentary / Index etc. Spenser made his name as a poet but made his living as an official in the royal service in Ireland. On his second visit to England in 1596 he compiled the View. He had had some 15 years' experience in various posts but was never in a position to gather such comprehensive knowledge of the various problems of government and the book was probably prompted by senior officers who could supply the facts and wanted the situation stated completely. Its thus useful as a statement of official opinion but it tells us much of the poet his interest in history his love of beautiful country his personal loyalties and the uneven emotional complex bred of contrast of experience. The official of the View was also the poet of the Faerie Queen. Edmund Spenser 1552/1553 – 13 January 1599 was an English poet best known for The Faerie Queene an epic poem and fantastical allegory celebrating the Tudor dynasty and Elizabeth I. He is recognized as one of the premier craftsmen of nascent Modern English verse and is often considered one of the greatest poets in the English language. Wikipedia William Lindsay Renwick 6 January 1889 to 25 November 1970 was Professor of English Literature at the Durham University from 1921 to 1945 and Regis Professor of Rhetoric and English Literature at University of Edinburgh from 1945-1959. hardcover