SOURCE: “Memoir and Criticism on the Works of the Rev. W. L. Bowles,” in The Poetical Works of William Lisle Bowles, James Nichol, 1855, pp. v-xviii.

In the following excerpt, Gilfillan praises Bowles as a pioneer of modern poetry.

William Lisle Bowles—whom we have ventured to call the father of modern poetry, since not only was he first in the field, but since his sonnets inspired the more powerful muse of Coleridge—was descended from an ancient and respectable family in Wiltshire. His grandfather and father were both clergymen in the Church of England. The poet was born in King's Sutton, and baptized there on the 25th of September 1762. In the year 1776 he was placed on the Wykeham foundation at Winchester. His master was Dr Joseph Warton, who, seeing genius disguised under the veil of his pupil's boyish timidity, encouraged him in his efforts, was warmly loved by...