Essayist william hazlitt

William Hazlitt is one of the greatest English essayists. He is classified as a romantic essayist. He was a prolific writer. He was eager to inquire into human life with all its variety.

His collected dramatic criticism appeared as A View of the English Stage in 1818. He also contributed to a number of journals, among them Leigh Hunt’s Examiner; this association led to the publication of The Round Table, 2 vol. (1817), 52 essays of which 40 were by Hazlitt.

Hazlitt’s place among English essayists is very high, though few critics have placed him above Lamb. In some respect in fact, Hazlitt easily beats Lamb into the second place. His catholicity, zest for life, and vivid and copious expression full of glowing images are his assets.

Nonetheless Hazlitt's satisfaction at the relief he gained from his financial woes was supplemented by the positive response his return to the lecture hall received. In early 1818 he delivered a series of talks on "the English Poets", from Chaucer to his own time.