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Richard Howitt (poet)
Encyclopedia
Richard Howitt poet, born at Heanor
in Derbyshire in 1799, was the son of Thomas Howitt and Phoebe Tantum. William Howitt
, the writer, was his elder brother and Mary Howitt
was William's wife. His younger brother was Godfrey Howitt
. He spent his earlier years as a pharmacist
in Nottingham
, at first in partnership with his brother William, but finally on his own account.
He was an ardent lover of literature, and published in 1830 a volume of poems entitled Antediluvian Sketches. This was highly praised and was followed in 1840 by the Gipsy King and other poems. Many of Howitt's poems appeared first in Tait's Magazine
and W. Dearden's Miscellany.
Towards the end of 1839, Richard, in company with his brother, Dr. Godfrey Howitt
, emigrated to Australia arriving in Port Phillip
in 1840. He farmed on the Heidelberg Road until his return to England in 1844 and published his experiences in ' Impressions of Australia Felix during Four Years' Residence in that Colony, Notes of a Voyage round the World, Australian Poems/ &c., 1845. This miscellany of prose and verse was described by Leigh Hunt as 'full of genuine pictures of nature, animate and inanimate.' After a stay in Nottingham Howitt retired to Edingley
, Nottinghamshire
, and published in 1868 a last volume of verse, Wasp's Honey, or Poetic Gold and Gems of Poetic Thought.
He died at Edingley
on 5 February 1869, and was buried in the Friends' cemetery at Mansfield
. Christopher North
says of him, in the 'Noctes Ambrosianae/ Richard has true poetic feeling, and no small poetic power.
One of Richard poems, "Thou art Lovelier", was set to music in 1870 by William Legge.
: an" Autobiography, edited by her daughter, Margaret Howitt, 1889, i. 117, 181, 222, ii. 169; Nottingham Daily Express, February 1869 ; Nottingham Daily Guardian, February 1869 ; Smith's Friends' Books.] E. B.
Heanor
Heanor is a town in the Amber Valley district of Derbyshire in the East Midlands of England. It is northeast of Derby. According to the census of 2001 the town's population was 22,620.-History:...
in Derbyshire in 1799, was the son of Thomas Howitt and Phoebe Tantum. William Howitt
William Howitt
William Howitt , was an English author.He was born at Heanor, Derbyshire. His parents were Quakers, and he was educated at the Friends public school at Ackworth, Yorkshire. His younger brothers were Richard and Godrey whom he helped tutor. In 1814 he published a poem on the Influence of Nature and...
, the writer, was his elder brother and Mary Howitt
Mary Howitt
Mary Howitt was an English poet, and author of the famous poem The Spider and the Fly. She was born Mary Botham at Coleford, in Gloucestershire, the temporary residence of her parents, while her father, Samuel Botham, a prosperous Quaker of Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, was looking after some mining...
was William's wife. His younger brother was Godfrey Howitt
Godfrey Howitt
Godfrey Howitt , entomologist, was born in Heanor in Derbyshire to Thomas Howitt. Thomas had farmed a few acres of land at Heanor and joined the Society of Friends on his marriage with Phoebe Tantum, a member of the same society, with whom he acquired a considerable fortune.Godfrey was educated at...
. He spent his earlier years as a pharmacist
Pharmacist
Pharmacists are allied health professionals who practice in pharmacy, the field of health sciences focusing on safe and effective medication use...
in Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
, at first in partnership with his brother William, but finally on his own account.
He was an ardent lover of literature, and published in 1830 a volume of poems entitled Antediluvian Sketches. This was highly praised and was followed in 1840 by the Gipsy King and other poems. Many of Howitt's poems appeared first in Tait's Magazine
Tait's Magazine
Tait's Edinburgh Magazine was a monthly periodical founded in 1832. It was an important venue for liberal political views, as well as contemporary cultural and literary developments, in early-to-mid-nineteenth century Britain....
and W. Dearden's Miscellany.
Australia
Godfrey Howitt
Godfrey Howitt , entomologist, was born in Heanor in Derbyshire to Thomas Howitt. Thomas had farmed a few acres of land at Heanor and joined the Society of Friends on his marriage with Phoebe Tantum, a member of the same society, with whom he acquired a considerable fortune.Godfrey was educated at...
, emigrated to Australia arriving in Port Phillip
Port Phillip
Port Phillip Port Phillip Port Phillip (also commonly referred to as Port Phillip Bay or (locally) just The Bay, is a large bay in southern Victoria, Australia; it is the location of Melbourne. Geographically, the bay covers and the shore stretches roughly . Although it is extremely shallow for...
in 1840. He farmed on the Heidelberg Road until his return to England in 1844 and published his experiences in ' Impressions of Australia Felix during Four Years' Residence in that Colony, Notes of a Voyage round the World, Australian Poems/ &c., 1845. This miscellany of prose and verse was described by Leigh Hunt as 'full of genuine pictures of nature, animate and inanimate.' After a stay in Nottingham Howitt retired to Edingley
Edingley
Edingley is a village in Nottinghamshire, England. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 390. It is located 3 miles north-west of Southwell.The parish church of St Giles is Norman, almost completely rebuilt in 1890....
, Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire is a county in the East Midlands of England, bordering South Yorkshire to the north-west, Lincolnshire to the east, Leicestershire to the south, and Derbyshire to the west...
, and published in 1868 a last volume of verse, Wasp's Honey, or Poetic Gold and Gems of Poetic Thought.
He died at Edingley
Edingley
Edingley is a village in Nottinghamshire, England. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 390. It is located 3 miles north-west of Southwell.The parish church of St Giles is Norman, almost completely rebuilt in 1890....
on 5 February 1869, and was buried in the Friends' cemetery at Mansfield
Mansfield
Mansfield is a town in Nottinghamshire, England. It is the main town in the Mansfield local government district. Mansfield is a part of the Mansfield Urban Area....
. Christopher North
Christopher North
-Biography :Born Christopher North Renquist in Austin, TX on February 6, 1969, Christopher North is a multi-instrumental composer and singer-songwriter based in New York City...
says of him, in the 'Noctes Ambrosianae/ Richard has true poetic feeling, and no small poetic power.
One of Richard poems, "Thou art Lovelier", was set to music in 1870 by William Legge.
Further reading
[The Reliquary, x. and xi.; Mary HowittMary Howitt
Mary Howitt was an English poet, and author of the famous poem The Spider and the Fly. She was born Mary Botham at Coleford, in Gloucestershire, the temporary residence of her parents, while her father, Samuel Botham, a prosperous Quaker of Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, was looking after some mining...
: an" Autobiography, edited by her daughter, Margaret Howitt, 1889, i. 117, 181, 222, ii. 169; Nottingham Daily Express, February 1869 ; Nottingham Daily Guardian, February 1869 ; Smith's Friends' Books.] E. B.