Thomas Gray was an 18th century English poet known for his contemplative works like "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard" and as a Graveyard poet. He was educated at Cambridge but did not actively practice law despite his legal degree. Gray was private by nature and known for reflecting profoundly on the human condition following deaths in his family. The document provides historical context of Gray's time including Robert Walpole as the first Prime Minister of England and discusses Gray's career and major works.

1. 7th
December 2021
Department of English
Paper-102
Literature of Neo classical
Topic: Thomas Gray
Presented by: Bhavna Sosa
Roll no. 4
Contact: bhavnasosa211@gmail.com

2. Historical and literary context
■ Robert Walpole
■ The first’ Prime Minister’ of England under kings
George l and kings George ll
■ An astute politician and businessmen
■ Father of Horace Walpole, a friend of Thomas Gray,a
pioneer of the gothic novel

3. .
■ Many writers were able to survive with the good will of
Robert Walpole and Lord Hervey.
■ Alexander Pope survived despite them.
■ But Gray had no interest in the politics of survival.
■ He refused the poet laureateship and public lecture.
■ Gray reflected profoundly on the human condition
because of many deaths in his family.

4. Thomas Gray : (1716 – 1771)
“ Poetry is thoughts that breathe,
and words that burn.”

5. .
■ Thomas Gray was an English poet, letter writer,
classical scholar and professor at Pembroke College,
Cambridge.
■ By nature,a withdrawn and melancholic person.
■ Pursues higher studies and received a degree in law,
though he did not practice law.
■ Wrote in Latin, translated from Latin

6. .
■ A poet of contemplation rather than action
■ Brought to recognition by Horace Walpole
■ Close friend of Robert West and William Mason
Known for “ The Progress of Poesy”, “The Bard”, and
primarily for “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard”
(1751).
■ He was the Graveyard poet

7. What is Graveyard poet?
The “ Graveyard poet”, also termed “Churchyard
Poet”, were a number of Pre – Romantic English poets of
the 18th
century.

8. .
Thank
you

9. References :
Bygrave,S.2009. “Gray’s Elegy: Inscribing the Twiligt.”
Wikipedia
Brainy Quotes.com
https://google.images