Having previously suffered neglect as a result of Popes dominance of the period, William Cowper (1731-1800) has now become a far more important figure in eighteenth-century literature. Following the successful format of the series, Professor Sambrooks edition consists of a comprehensive, contextual editors introduction together with substantial annotation on the page.
The Task (1785) is the principal text discussed together with a selection of Cowpers other poems which cover a wide range of his subjects, moods and styles.