Poet

Gerard Manley Hopkins

1844-1889

Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844–1889) was a seminal English poet whose innovative use of prosody and vivid imagery significantly influenced modern poetry. Educated at Balliol College, Oxford, Hopkins converted to Catholicism and joined the Jesuit order, which profoundly shaped his spiritual and poetic vision. Though his work was largely unpublished during his lifetime, Hopkins’ poetry, marked by its pioneering use of “sprung rhythm” and intricate sound patterns, gained posthumous acclaim.

Hopkins’ poetry often explores themes of nature, faith, and inner turmoil, characterized by dense, evocative language and striking originality. Notable works such as “The Windhover,” “Pied Beauty,” and “God’s Grandeur” reflect his keen observations of the natural world and his deep religious conviction. His unique style, featuring compound words, unusual syntax, and rich alliteration, set him apart from his contemporaries.

Gerard Manley Hopkins’ contributions to poetry were largely recognized through the efforts of his friend Robert Bridges, who published a collection of his poems in 1918. Today, Hopkins is celebrated as a pivotal figure in Victorian poetry, whose innovations laid the groundwork for many modernist techniques.

Readings

Pied Beauty, read by Kristin Scott Thomas
© Copyright 2025 The Josephine Hart Poetry Foundation. A charity registered in England and Wales number 1145062.