Oxford Book of English Verse, 1250-1918 [Hardcover]

Arthur Quiller-Couch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 26, 1963

The Oxford Book of English Verse was first published in 1900 and it initiated the famous series of Oxford Books that has been running ever since. It quickly established itself as a classic anthology, equal to Palgrave's Golden Treasury in popularity and public recognition. Having sold half a million copies in 21 impressions, a second edition appeared in 1939, extending the book by a hundred pages and increasing the representation of the early part of the twentieth century. Concentrating for the most part on lyrical poetry, Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch sought to range over the whole field of English verse from the thirteenth century to the close of the First World War. He established an arrangement of the poets by date of birth, using modernized spelling after the very earliest poems. He held firmly to the belief that old favourites deserved their place as much as new discoveries, and held himself at odds with those who sneer 'at things long by catholic consent accounted beautiful'. In declaring the enduring nature of the English verse tradition, 'Q' ensured that The Oxford Book of English Verse would itself endure and prosper.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch, familiarly known as `Q', published criticism, verse, fiction, and anthologies throughout his career. He was knighted in 1910 and appointed King Edward VII Professor of English Literature at Cambridge University in 1912.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1200 pages
• Publisher: Oxford Up (March 26, 1963)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198121075
• ISBN-13: 978-0198121077
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,329,546 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pleasant Reading, September 22, 2005

By 

An American Reader (Oxford, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Oxford Book of English Verse, 1250-1918 (Hardcover)

I purchased this volume of poetry as much for comparison's sake as for pleasure. I've piled up the latest Norton Anthology of Poetry, Christopher Ricks's edition of The Oxford Book of Verse from 1999, and The Oxford Book of American Verse as I study for the GRE subject exam in English Literature. The Norton should serve the practical needs of any student or reader, but I purchased this after skimming it in the local library, deciding to compare the selections by renowned poets found in most anthologies as well as view the work of poets who have now faded into relative obscurity today, or at least, they didn't find their way into my undergraduate syllabi! Even after exam preparation, this will be a pleasure to open, and it is certainly an easier travel companion than the unwieldy Norton. If, however, you're looking for twentieth century poetry in your survey, then try to locate the Ricks volume.