Richard Blackmore

Richard Blackmore grave

Richard Blackmore memorial

Richard Blackmore (22 January 1654 – 9 October 1729), often referred to as Sir Richard Blackmore, was an English physician, poet, and philosopher. He is best known for his epic poems, particularly Prince Arthur and King Arthur, which were popular during his lifetime but later fell out of favor. Blackmore's works and his literary reputation have been the subject of varied assessments over the centuries, with some critics viewing him as a significant figure in the Augustan literature of England, while others have criticized his poetic style and moralistic tone.

Biography

Richard Blackmore was born in Corsham, Wiltshire, England, and educated at Westminster School before attending St Edmund Hall, Oxford, where he received a BA in 1676. He later studied medicine at Padua University in Italy, one of the leading medical schools of the time. After completing his studies, Blackmore returned to England, where he established a successful medical practice. He was appointed as a physician to King William III and Queen Mary II, which earned him a knighthood in 1697.

Despite his successful medical career, Blackmore is primarily remembered for his contributions to literature. His first major work, Prince Arthur, was published in 1695 and dedicated to Queen Mary. The poem, written in heroic couplets, was an attempt to provide a moral epic in the tradition of Milton's Paradise Lost. Blackmore followed this with King Arthur in 1697, further establishing his reputation as a poet.

Literary Works and Criticism

Blackmore's literary output was prolific, including not only epic poetry but also works on religion, philosophy, and medicine. His later poems, such as Eliza (1705), a tribute to Queen Anne, and The Creation (1712), a philosophical and theological poem reflecting on the world's creation, continued to reflect his moral and religious preoccupations.

Critics have been divided on Blackmore's literary merit. In his own time, he was praised for his moral purpose and the didactic nature of his poetry. However, he was also the subject of satire and ridicule by some contemporaries, including Alexander Pope, who lampooned him in The Dunciad. Modern critics have often viewed Blackmore's work as lacking in poetic imagination and stylistic finesse, though there has been a reassessment of his contributions to the literature of the Augustan age, particularly in the context of his moral and philosophical concerns.

Legacy

Richard Blackmore's legacy is complex. While his literary works have not endured in popularity, his role as a moralist and philosopher-poet of the Augustan age offers a unique perspective on the literary and intellectual currents of his time. His efforts to imbue poetry with moral and religious significance, while not always successful in execution, reflect the broader cultural and intellectual preoccupations of early 18th-century England.