Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) was born in Dorset. He left school at sixteen to work as an apprentice for an architect who specialized in church restoration. He made his reputation as a novelist, and it wasn't until after the publication of his last novel, The Well-beloved, in 1897, that he dedicated himself to writing poetry.

In this series, a contemporary poet selects & introduces a poet of the past. By their choice of poems & by the personal & critical reactions they express in their prefaces the editors offer insights into their own work as well as providing an accessible & passionate introduction to some of the greatest poets in literature.

Louis MacNeice was born in Belfast in 1907 and educated at Marlborough and Merton College, Oxford. For most of his working life he was a writer and producer for BBC radio. His death in 1963 was sudden and unexpected.

This collection of poems by George Herbert has been selected by poet Jo Shapcott, who is currently Visiting Professor at the University of Newcastle.

In this series, a contemporary poet selects and introduces a poet of the past. By their selection of verses and by the personal and critical reactions they express in their introductions, the selectors offer a passionate and accessible introduction to some of the greatest poets in history.

In the 'Poet to Poet' series, a contemporary poet selects and introduces a poet of the past whom they particularly admire. By their selection of verses and critical reactions they express in their prefaces, the selectors offer intriguing insights into their own work.

Ben Jonson (1572-1637) was born in London, and became a leading poet, playwright and essayist of the Elizabethan age. In 1598 he killed an actor in a duel but escaped hanging by pleading benefit of the clergy, and by 1616 had re-established enough Court favour to be awarded a pension by James I - in effect making him the first Poet Laureate.

In this series, a contemporary poet advocates a poet of the past or present whom they have particularly admired. By their selection of verses and their critical reactions, the selectors offer intriguing insights into their own work. Here, Simon Armitage selects Ted Hughes.

Wilfred Owen is perhaps the most remembered of the First World War poets, writing some of the most powerful denouncements of the horrors and hypocricies of war. Here, Jon Stallworthy selects his favourite poems.