Matthew Green (poet)
Encyclopedia
Matthew Green was a British
poet
born of Nonconformist parents. For many years he held a post in the custom house
. The few anecdotes that have been preserved show him to have been as witty as his poems would lead one to expect: on one occasion, when the government was about to cut off funds that paid for milk for the custom house cats, Green submitted a petition in their name, winning a reprieve. He died unmarried at his lodging in Nags Head Court, Gracechurch Street
, London
in 1737.
His Grotto, a poem on Queen Caroline
's grotto at Richmond was printed in 1732
; and his chief poem, The Spleen, in 1737
with a preface by his friend Richard Glover. These and some other short poems were printed in Robert Dodsley
's collection (1748
), and subsequently in various editions of the British poets. They were edited in 1796
with a preface by John Aikin
and in 1858
by Robert Aris Willmott with the poems of Thomas Gray
and others. The Spleen, which was not originally intended for publication, is an epistle to Cuthbert Jackson, advocating cheerfulness, exercise and a quiet content as remedies. It is full of witty sayings. Thomas Gray said of it: "There is a profusion of wit everywhere; reading would have formed his judgment, and harmonized his verse, for even his wood-notes often break out into strains of real poetry and music". Despite this praise, Green is thought of as a "one-poem" poet, to the point that he became known as "Spleen-Green."
In an age of orthodoxy, Green had an original turn of mind. His idiosyncratic conversation 'occasioned one of the commissioners of the Customs, a very dull man, to observe that he did not know how it was, but Green always expressed himself in a different manner from other people'.
Green is perhaps best remembered (if at all) for witty aphorism
s, such as:
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
poet
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
born of Nonconformist parents. For many years he held a post in the custom house
Custom House
A custom house or customs house was a building housing the offices for the government officials who processed the paperwork for the import and export of goods into and out of a country. Customs officials also collected customs duty on imported goods....
. The few anecdotes that have been preserved show him to have been as witty as his poems would lead one to expect: on one occasion, when the government was about to cut off funds that paid for milk for the custom house cats, Green submitted a petition in their name, winning a reprieve. He died unmarried at his lodging in Nags Head Court, Gracechurch Street
Gracechurch Street
Gracechurch Street is a street in the City of London which forms part of the A10. It is home to a number of shops, restaurants, offices and Leadenhall Market....
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1737.
His Grotto, a poem on Queen Caroline
Caroline of Ansbach
Caroline of Brandenburg-Ansbach was the queen consort of King George II of Great Britain.Her father, John Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach, was the ruler of a small German state...
's grotto at Richmond was printed in 1732
1732 in literature
The year 1732 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:* The first edition of Poor Richard's Almanac, by Benjamin Franklin, is published....
; and his chief poem, The Spleen, in 1737
1737 in literature
The year 1737 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:*June 21 - The Theatrical Licensing Act is passed, introducing censorship to the London stage. Plays now require approval before production...
with a preface by his friend Richard Glover. These and some other short poems were printed in Robert Dodsley
Robert Dodsley
Robert Dodsley was an English bookseller and miscellaneous writer.-Life:He was born near Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, where his father was master of the free school....
's collection (1748
1748 in literature
The year 1748 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:* While in debtor's prison in London, John Cleland writes Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure, also known as Fanny Hill, considered the first modern "erotic novel" by some.* Euler’s fifth paper on nautical topics, E137,...
), and subsequently in various editions of the British poets. They were edited in 1796
1796 in literature
-Events:*Samuel Taylor Coleridge publishes his periodical The Watchman*Samuel Ireland publishes a collection of Shakespearean forgeries in his Miscellaneous Papers and Legal Instruments Under the Hand and Seal of William Shakespeare. Amid a growing controversy, Edmond Malone exposes the forgeries...
with a preface by John Aikin
John Aikin
John Aikin was an English doctor and writer.-Life:He was born at Kibworth Harcourt, Leicestershire, England, son of Dr. John Aikin, Unitarian divine, and received his elementary education at the Nonconformist academy at Warrington, where his father was a tutor. He studied medicine at the...
and in 1858
1858 in literature
The year 1858 in literature involved some significant new books.-Events:*Henrik Ibsen marries and becomes creative director of Oslo's National Theater.*Charles Baudelaire's study on Théophile Gautier is published in Revue contemporaine....
by Robert Aris Willmott with the poems of Thomas Gray
Thomas Gray
Thomas Gray was a poet, letter-writer, classical scholar and professor at Cambridge University.-Early life and education:...
and others. The Spleen, which was not originally intended for publication, is an epistle to Cuthbert Jackson, advocating cheerfulness, exercise and a quiet content as remedies. It is full of witty sayings. Thomas Gray said of it: "There is a profusion of wit everywhere; reading would have formed his judgment, and harmonized his verse, for even his wood-notes often break out into strains of real poetry and music". Despite this praise, Green is thought of as a "one-poem" poet, to the point that he became known as "Spleen-Green."
In an age of orthodoxy, Green had an original turn of mind. His idiosyncratic conversation 'occasioned one of the commissioners of the Customs, a very dull man, to observe that he did not know how it was, but Green always expressed himself in a different manner from other people'.
Green is perhaps best remembered (if at all) for witty aphorism
Aphorism
An aphorism is an original thought, spoken or written in a laconic and memorable form.The term was first used in the Aphorisms of Hippocrates...
s, such as:
- "By happy alchemy of mind / They turn to pleasure all they find."
- "Laugh and be well."
- "Fling but a stone, the giant dies." (The Spleen)
- "Though pleased to see the dolphins play / I mind my compass and my way." (The Spleen)
External links
- WikiQuote Matthew Green