What is the author's style in Biographia Literaria, or, Biographical Sketches of My Literary Life and Opinions by Samuel Taylor Coleridge?

Biographia Literaria is written from the perspective of the author, Samuel Taylor Coleridge. The book was edited by George Watson. The author writes in the first person point of view since he is presenting his own analysis of the relationship between literature and philosophy. The perspective presented is that of the author, who is a poet and writer in his own right. Coleridge draws on the knowledge of philosophy to examine the functioning of the mind in his determination of the brilliance of the poet and the perception of the reader. In his examination of what are the elements of good poetry and the source of poetic genius, Coleridge quotes passages from many different authors as he makes his points and explore different aspect of the subjects.

Coleridge is well qualified to write a book of this type. He is a poet and writer. He was educated at Cambridge in the fashion of the time, which meant a study of philosophy. This is why an examination of the different philosophers and an inquiry into the functioning of the minds of the poet and the reader was a natural starting point for him. Aside from a few years working as a secretary to the first governor, he earned his living by writing and lecturing. Hence he is well qualified to write the kind of book that analyzes the link between poetry and philosophy.