# Biographia Literaria

**Author:** Samuel Coleridge
**Tags:** Criticism, Poetry, Aesthetics, Wordsworth, William, 1770-1850. Lyrical ballads
**Price:** Free
**Formats:** DOCX, EPUB, FB2, PDF, TXT
**Downloads:** 29
**Added:** 10.07.2026
**URL:** https://samolit.com/books/96090

## Description

Published in 1817, Samuel Taylor Coleridge's Biographia Literaria is a sprawling, introspective work that blends autobiography with profound literary criticism and philosophical inquiry. Part memoir, part theoretical treatise, it chronicles Coleridge's intellectual journey, exploring the diverse influences that shaped his artistic development and personal philosophy. Central to the book are his groundbreaking theories on imagination, famously distinguishing between fancy and the more potent, creative forces of primary and secondary imagination. Coleridge also engages in a detailed and often critical examination of William Wordsworth's poetic principles, particularly those articulated in the preface to Lyrical Ballads, while celebrating their shared contributions to Romantic literature. Though its structure is often described as digressive, Biographia Literaria remains a foundational text in English literary criticism, offering enduring insights into the nature of poetry, perception, and the creative process itself.