John Keats 1816-1821 – Letters Selection Analysis & Summary
This selection of Keats's letters can be navigated in two ways: chronologically and by recipient. Each letter is annotated. I have also written brief introductions. The spelling and punctuation are Keats's own. Though the letters are reproduced word for word, bracketed corrections are included.
Over two hundred and forty of Keats's letters survive. If I could, I would include them all at this website (and that is my eventual goal.)
Viewing the actual letters is as necessary as reading them, I think. A transcription of a letter cannot show the speed of Keats's thought and writing, whereas the actual letter will show wide gaps between words, or the way he hastily combined words and forgot certain letters. For that reason, I scan as many letters as I can find. Please visit Original Manuscript Images to view them.
Reading Keats's letters brings the poet to vivid life. I hope that your visit to this page leads you to read all of the letters, collected and edited most notably by Hyder Edward Rollins and Robert Gittings.