Helen Maria Williams
Who is Helen Maria Williams
Helen Maria Williams (17 June 1759 – 15 December 1827) was a British novelist, poet, and translator of French-language works. A religious dissenter, she was a supporter of abolitionism and of the ideals of the French Revolution; she was imprisoned in Paris during the Reign of Terror, but nonetheless spent much of the rest of her life in France. A controversial figure in her own time, the young Williams was favourably portrayed in a 1787 poem by William Wordsworth.
Early years and education
She was born on 17 June 1759 in London to a Scottish mother, Helen Hay, and a Welsh army officer father, Charles Williams. She had an older sister, Cecilia (baptized 1760), and an older half-sister Persis from her father's first marriage (born 1743). Her father died in December...
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Helen Maria Williams Poems
- Peru. Canto The Fourth
THE ARGUMENT.
Almagro's expedition to Chili - his troops suffer great hardships from cold, in crossing the Andes - they reach Chili - the Chilese make a brave resistance - the revolt of the Peruvians in Cuzco - they are led on by Manco-Capac, the successor of Ataliba - his parting with Cora, his wife - the Peruvians regain half their city - Almagro leaves Chili - to avoid the Andes, he crosses a vast desert - his troops can find no water - the rest divide in two bands - Alphonso leads the second band, which soon reaches a fertile valley - the Spaniards observe the natives are employed in searching the streams for gold - they resolve to attack them.
...
- Peru. Canto The Second
THE ARGUMENT.
Pizarro, a Spanish Captain, lands with his forces - his meeting with Ataliba - its unhappy consequences - Zorai dies - Ataliba imprisoned, and strangled - Alzira's despair, and madness.
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- Peru. Canto The Third
THE ARGUMENT.
Pizarro takes possession of Cuzco - the fanaticism of Valverde, a Spanish priest - its dreadful effects - A Peruvian priest put to the torture - his daughter's distress - he is rescued by Las Casas, an amiable Spanish ecclesiastic, and led to a place of safety, where he dies - his daughter's narration of her sufferings - her death.
...
- An American Tale
"Ah! pity all the pangs I feel,
If pity e'er ye knew;--
An aged father's wounds to heal,
Thro' scenes of death I flew.
...
- Edwin And Eltruda, A Legendary Tale
Mark it, Cesario, it is old and plain;
The spinsters and the knitters in the sun,
And the free maids, that weave their thread with bones
Do use to chant it. It is silly, sooth,
...
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Helen Maria Williams Quotes
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Comments about Helen Maria Williams
- Poetictouch: the night is dark, the waters deep,
yet soft the billows roll;
alas! at every breeze i weep –
the storm is in my soul.
~ helen maria williams
- Chawtonhouse: have you booked your tickets for our upcoming online talks?
on 2 feb, emma yandle will be discussing the fascinating life of helen maria williams.
on 16 feb, we will explore lady hester stanhope's appreciation of ancient heritage and her controversial archaeological dig.
- Chawtonhouse: discover the fascinating story of helen maria williams, the english writer who made it her life's work to report on- and advocate for- the unfolding events of the french revolution during our online talk on 2 february.
find out more and book today:
- Mmeeemfg: poem of the week: sonnet on reading burns’ to a mountain daisy by helen maria williams
- Chawtonhouse: don't miss our upcoming online talk exploring the story of helen maria williams, the english writer who made it her life's work to report on the french revolution:
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