Elegy Written in a Country Church-Yard, by Thomas Gray

Elegy Written in a Country Church-Yard, by Thomas Gray. 1951 Heritage Press hardcover with slipcase. 92 pages, very nice condition.

Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard is a poem by Thomas Gray, completed in 1750 and first published in 1751. The poem's origins are unknown, but it was partly inspired by Gray's thoughts following the death of the poet Richard West in 1742. Originally titled Stanzas Wrote in a Country Church-Yard, the poem was completed when Gray was living near the Church of St Giles, Stoke Poges. It was sent to his friend Horace Walpole, who popularized the poem among London literary circles. The true highlight of this volume, however, is the excellent illustration work by Agnes Miller Parker – wood engravings sketched in the same churchyard at Stoke Poges.