Alfred Lord Tennyson

Alfred Lord Tennyson is one of Britain's greatest and most popular poets. Even during his lifetime, he was considered a national institution: Queen Victoria appointed him Poet Laureate in 1850, a position he held for 42 years, and in 1884 he became the first writer to be granted a baronetcy. In a long and fruitful career, he penned numerous classic works, and this BBC Radio collection showcases some of the very best.

The 200th anniversary of the birth of Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809–1892), one of the most popular of poets, was celebrated in 2009. Works such as The Charge of the Light Brigade, Crossing the Bar and Tears, idle tears have made him an internationally famous figure, and the second most quoted writer of all time (after Shakespeare). Tennyson’s poetic works encompass a great range of styles, settings and personae, and are known for their emotional resonance and powerful imagery. ‘The Great Poets’ series marks the anniversary bringing together all the key works, read by veteran reader Michael Pennington.

Tennyson's poetry epitomises the Victorian age. His finest poems are either steeped in melancholy, as in 'Maud', or are heroic and allegorical, as in 'The Lady of Shalott'.

A selection of poems by Alfred, Lord Tennyson chosen by the reader.