Samuel Rogers

Samuel Rogers was an English poet, banker, and art collector born on July 30, 1763. He is best known for his poetry and his patronage of the arts. Rogers was born in Stoke Newington, London, and was the son of a wealthy banker. He was educated at home before attending school in Hackney and then apprenticing with his father's banking firm. However, Rogers had a deep love for literature and began writing poetry at a young age.

Rogers became famous for his epic poem "The Pleasures of Memory" (1792), which celebrated his love of art, literature, and nature. The poem was immensely popular in its time and went through numerous editions. Other notable works by Rogers include "The Voyage of Columbus" (1812), "Human Life" (1819), and "Italy" (1822-28).

Rogers was also a major patron of the arts and befriended many famous artists and writers, including William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and J.M.W. Turner. His home in London became a hub for literary and artistic gatherings, and he spent a great deal of money on his extensive art collection.

Rogers' philosophy was one of appreciation for the beauty and value of art and literature. He believed that great works of art and literature had the power to enrich and elevate people's lives. Rogers was also deeply committed to social justice and was a vocal opponent of slavery.

Samuel Rogers died on December 18, 1855, at the age of 92. He was remembered as a celebrated poet and patron of the arts, as well as a kind and generous man. His home in London, which was filled with priceless works of art and literature, became a museum after his death and is now known as the Samuel Rogers House.

An interesting fact about Rogers is that he was friends with many of the greatest writers and artists of his time, but he was also a notoriously private person. He rarely gave interviews or spoke about his personal life, preferring to let his poetry and art collection speak for themselves.