The Lives Of The Poets : Kessinger Publishing : 9781162671475 : 1162671475 : 10 Sep 2010 : The Lives of the Poets is a collection of biographical sketches written by Samuel Johnson, one of the most prominent literary figures of the 18th century. The book consists of brief accounts of the lives and works of 52 poets, including John Milton, Alexander Pope, and William Shakespeare. Johnson's aim was to provide a comprehensive overview of the development of English poetry from the 16th to the 18th century, and to offer critical evaluations of each poet's contribution to the genre. The book also includes Johnson's own opinions on various literary and cultural issues of the time, making it a valuable source for understanding the intellectual climate of the period. The Lives of the Poets is considered a classic work of literary criticism and biography, and has had a significant influence on the study of English literature.Gay is represented as a man easily incited to hope, and deeply depresse