John Keats

Keats was born in 1796, the grandson of the proprietor of a livery stables. He received a basic classical education at Enfield School, and became apprenticed to a surgeon. His friendship with the son of his teacher encouraged him to write poetry and led to him meeting Leigh Hunt. Keats and Hunt took many walks around Hampstead Heath and Highgate, areas which were to inspire many of Keats' works. After qualifying as a surgeon, Keats concentrated on writing poetry, but the critics offered only a lukewarm response. He dies of consumption in Italy in 1821, and his poetry has been postumously praised and loved all over the world.