SOURCE: “John Keble and the Victorian Churching of Romanticism,” in An Infinite Complexity: Essays in Romanticism, edited by J. R. Watson, Edinburgh University Press, 1983, pp. 226-239.

In the following essay, Gilley considers Keble's place as the leading poet of the Victorian High Church revival.

Among the more attractive figures from the English past are the clergy scholars and poets who have served and loved the Church of England. Richard Hooker, chased by his wife from his books to mind the sheep; George Herbert and Robert Herrick; John Ray, with scientific eye discerning the glory of God in all creation; Gilbert White of Selborne, whose parish was universe enough. On a still humbler level, but evocative of the tradition, are the annals of Cole and Kilvert and Woodforde who have left remarkable diaries. A secure place in this gallery of English worthies is held by John Keble, Victorian Vicar...