1714-11-18 — 1763-02-11
· Halesowen
William Shenstone was an English poet primarily known for his pastoral poem "The School-Mistress". Although his work is not as widely known today as that of some of his contemporaries, he was an admired figure in his time for the delicacy of his poetry and his work as a landscape designer.
His poetic style, influenced by figures such as Alexander Pope, was marked by a sentimental tone and a keen observation of rural life. Shenstone is also remembered for his friendships with other writers and his interest in creating picturesque gardens on his estate at The Leasowes.
