A short biography of John Keats

You've probably heard of John Keats, but he's more than the simpering Romantic poet we're familiar with. Learn more about Keats's brief life, from his grisly duties as surgeon's assitant to the turbulent romance with the woman he loved.
See our video on consumption here: • Why people thought tub...
Written, presented, and edited by Rosie Whitcombe
@books_ncats Twitter & Instagram
Directed, produced, and edited by Matty Phillips
@ma_ps_ Twitter & Instagram
mphotos.uk/
Bibliography
Gibson Lockhart, John, ‘The Cockney School of Poetry, No. IV’, in Blackwood’s Magazine, 1817-25: Selections from Maga’s Infancy, ed. by Tom Mole, 6 vols. (London: Pickering and Chatto, 2006)
Keats, John, The Letters of John Keats, ed. by Hyder Edward Rollins, 2 vols. (Cambridge: CUP, 2011)
Monckton Milnes, Richard, Life, Letters, and Literary Remains of John Keats, 2 vols. (London: Edward Moxon, Dover Street, 1848)
Motion, Andrew, Keats (London: Faber, 1997)
Roe, Nicholas, John Keats: A New Life (Cornwall: Yale University Press, 2013)
Stillinger, Jack, ‘The “story” of Keats’, The Cambridge Companion to John Keats, ed. by Susan J. Wolfson (Cambridge: CUP, 2001) pp. 246-60
Extra citations from The Letters of John Keats, vol. 2:
'confess if your heart is too much fasten'd on the world [...] confess to me how many things are necessary to you besides me' p. 291
'I cannot live without you, and not only you; but chaste you; virtuous you' p. 304
'Let me be but certain that you are mine heart and soul, and I could die more happily than I could otherwise live' pp. 293-4
'You must be mine to die upon the rack if I want you' p. 291
'If you could really what is call'd enjoy yourself at a Party [...] you never have not ever will love me' p. 291
'You are to me an object intensely desirable--the air I breathe in a room empty of you is unhealthy' p. 304
'Do not think of anything but me' p. 290

[@kesmarn]

New subscriber here. Well done! I've read (don't know about the veracity of this story) that on the way to Italy, Keats asked Severn to purchase some laudanum (opiate) because, with his background in medicine, he had a suspicion of what might lie ahead. Severn complied, but later, when Keats asked for his pain med, Severn was afraid to give it to him. Instead, he went to the doctor to ask for advice. The doctor took the laudanum away from him, leaving Keats to face a dreadful death "cold turkey." He was not pleased -- initially. Later, he was resigned and urged Severn ... "don't be frightened...I shall die easy."

[@HarriJHudson]

A wonderful whisker-stop tour

[@ellenmarysullivan6993]

delightful, extremely informative. I can't wait to hear more ! What a great cat !!

[@books_ncats]

Glad you enjoyed the video! We just posted a video about Keats's spookiest poem if you want to watch more. Mouse is wonderful, isn't she!

[@Felidae-ts9wp]

A new subscriber. Love the way you bring your subject to life. Keats is one of my favorite poets and Bright Star one of my favorite poems.⭐ Thank you . Love the cat 🐈

[@books_ncats]

Thank you for the sub! Glad you enjoyed our first ever video! 😁 got a few more on Keats. Mouse is very happy to hear that 🐈 😸 - Matty

[@TheGabeCapes]

Thuroghly enjoyed this!

[@shakthidhasan4544]

Your passion comes through 😊

[@books_ncats]

Thank you 😊 - Rosie

[@c4caopaul]

Really enjoyable. Great content and presentation (and cat, of course.)

[@books_ncats]

Thank you (from Mouse in particular) 🐱

[@etherealtb6021]

Finally. A UA-camr who gets we want to see their cute pet - while getting educated. 😸😻

[@mannu660]

Great video!! excited to see more!!

[@isabellegrimshaw4378]

This was so interesting, I learned so much already! Also the meows 😆 Looking forward to more

[@ellywhitcombe5007]

Brilliant stuff! Thank you x

[@hiromicho79]

New subscriber here! Your video on Keats are absolutely incredible! The time and effort you devoted to making them, together with the love and respect you showed for the poet himself are worth all the praises on earth....😭😭😩😩

[@books_ncats]

Hello! Thanks very much for subscribing, and for your kind comment! Glad you enjoyed the video! 😊 - Rosie

[@kristinmarra7005]

Good job! So interesting.

[@books_ncats]

Thank you! - Rosie

[@maymay.freitas]

Thanks so much for the wonderful minutes with your perspective, I didn't buy that about his 'lack of stomach for med school' also

[@daneckabargas6690]

Amazing video!

[@books_ncats]

Thank you! - Rosie

[@Misskatycat21]

'little Keats' 🤣

[@thomasesau2376]

JENNY KISSED ME is my favorite Romantic poem.

[@manojpandey2382]

Your father

[@jws1948ja]

and he had tuberculosis. A killer if he stayed in medicine.