Historic unveiling of William Wordsworth’s headteacher’s grave

The man credited with inspiring Wordsworth’s creativity, William Taylor, is buried in Cartmel Priory churchyard and William Wordsworth visited the grave and recorded that moment in his major autobiographical poem The Prelude.

William Taylor introduced a young Wordsworth to the world of poetry and his inspirational teaching set Wordsworth on the path to brilliance. A Cambridge University Emmanuel College alumnus, Taylor returned to Cumbria in 1781 to teach at Hawkshead Grammar School, before becoming headmaster the following year. Wordsworth attended from the age of nine in 1779, until 1787 aged 17. In his eyes, Reverend Taylor was the epitome of the learned guide, bringing out the very best in him and the other pupils, many of whom (Wordsworth included) advanced their studies at Cambridge and Oxford.

In Book 10 (X) of Wordsworth’s masterpiece, The Prelude, the poet pays tribute to the “honoured teacher of my youth” and speaks of his emotion on a visit here to his teacher’s final resting place in 1794. There can be no doubt that Reverend Taylor’s untimely passing aged 32 from tuberculosis in 1786 profoundly impacted Wordsworth.

The unveiling wil be take place on Friday 12th June at 10.15am by Professor Stephen Gill Professor Emeritus at Lincoln College, Oxford University. After the unveiling Professor gill wil be giving a short talk about Wordsworth and there will be a time for questions. All are welcome to this unique event.

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