The Angel in the House, his narrative poem about an ideal happy marriage.

Early: sincere, naive, lack of humour, magnificent, solemn, beautiful, homely but elevated pathos, reactionary politically, serious and active mind.

Exalted thought is expressed in poetry of the richest and most dignified melody. Spirituality informs his inspiration; the poetry is glowing and alive.

Coventry Patmore was a librarian by profession, and originally an Anglican by creed, but he later converted to Catholicism. Inspired by his new religion, he composed some of his best religious poetry, prolific in both quality and quantity. To fellow lyricist Francis Thompson, Patmore was indeed "the greatest genius of the century." Together, both Patmore and Thompson brought English religious poetry to unexpected, perhaps unsurpassable heights. From childhood to grave Patmore believed himself obligated to celebrate married love, "the more serious importance of which had been singularly missed by most poets of all countries" he once said. As time went on, this theme became