The Resume

(December 26, 1716-July 30, 1771)
Wrote poems ‘Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College,’ ‘Ode on the Death of a Favorite Cat, Drowned in a Tub of Gold Fishes,’ ‘Ode to Adversity,’ ‘Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard’ and ‘The Progress of Poesy’
Professor of History at Cambridge University

Why he might be annoying:

He founded a poetic school obsessed with graveyards.
It took him eight years to earn a law degree he never used.
He felt most of his colleagues at Cambridge were beneath him.
He was made a professor of history but never lectured.
He grew increasingly reclusive as he aged.
He described himself as ‘No very great wit.’

Why he might not be annoying:

All eleven of his siblings died during childhood.
He refused the position of Poet Laureate as he felt it was meaningless.
‘Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard’ made him a literary celebrity overnight.
Many of his phrases such as ‘Ignorance is bliss’ have become everyday expressions.
He refused any payment for his work.
His melancholy poetry anticipated the Romantic movement of the next century.

Credit: Georgina

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• 18th Century Poets
• Born on Boxing Day [Deceber 26] (Ranked: 1716)
• Georgina/Devil Doll's Profiles [Series 1]
• I Attended Cambridge
• I Attended Eton
• Look at Me, My Picture Is Art
• My Dad was Violent/Abusive
• People with Tom, Dick or Harry in their Names
• Poets
• Powdered Wig Wearers
• Profiles 19251-19500 (Ranked: 19313)
• Recluses

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 5 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 16 Votes: 68.75% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 6 Votes: 83.33% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 3 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 32 Votes: 34.38% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 15 Votes: 53.33% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 16 Votes: 62.50% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 16 Votes: 62.50% Annoying
In 2010, Out of 21 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2009, Out of 26 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2008, Out of 29 Votes: 51.72% Annoying
In 2007, Out of 78 Votes: 52.56% Annoying
In 2006, Out of 94 Votes: 45.74% Annoying