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 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. Here, Douglas Dunn surveys Robert Browning.

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.

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.

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.

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

This collection of poems by Samuel Taylor Coleridge has been selected by James Fenton, who was Oxford Professor of Poetry from 1993 until 1999.

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.