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Unveiling the Unexpected: Top 7 Fascinating Facts About John Keats You Never Knew

illustration of john-keats
Dive into the world of John Keats, where poetic genius meets fascinating tidbits that'll leave you longing for more of this Romantic wordsmith's intriguing life!

1. From Surgeon to Sonnets

When medicine and poetry duel to the death, it's a wrap for scalpels and stethoscopes: John Keats ditched a promising career as a surgeon in 1817 to focus on crafting elegant verses that would leave stanzas in stitches, having already received his Licentiate Certificate in 1816 to practice as an apothecary.
Source => bcmj.org

2. Keats: The Human ATM

Donning an extremely early "human ATM" prototype: John Keats was often found lending out large sums of money to those in need, including his brother George and painter Benjamin Haydon, despite facing financial hardships himself and struggling to pay off his own debt's interest.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

3. Nightingale Soulmate

Ever thought you'd find a soulmate in a nocturnal feathered friend? John Keats sure did! He poured his heart out to a melodious Nightingale, seeking its refuge from life's miseries: In his famous ode, "Ode to a Nightingale," Keats grapples with the idea of escaping human despair to exist in the bird's eternal realm, but ultimately finds solace in the transient beauty of life and the everlasting resilience of nature.
Source => gradesfixer.com

4. Street Fighter & Peak Climber

From fisticuffs with butchers to conquering the tallest of British peaks, our man Keats knew how to bring the beef and hike up the drama: John Keats was known for his resilience and athleticism, as he would stand up to bullies, once engaged in a street fight using prize-fighting techniques, and even embarked on a 600-mile walking tour through northern England and Scotland, successfully ascending Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the British Isles, and trekking all the way to the 15th-century Brig o' Doon, a bridge so iconic it later inspired a Broadway musical.
Source => theberkshireedge.com

Crazy for Fanny Brawne

5. Crazy for Fanny Brawne

Roses are red, Fanny Brawn-y, without whom Keats couldn't go on-y: Well-versed poet John Keats was head over quill in love with his neighbor Fanny Brawne and wrote to her in his final days, passionately declaring he couldn't exist without her and sharing his newfound appreciation for the beauty of the world.
Source => theparisreview.org

6. The Witty Firecracker

When he wasn't writing melancholic verses, John Keats could have doubled as a human firecracker at a Victorian garden party: despite his diminutive stature, this powerhouse poet possessed a quick wit and a talent for amusing his friends with his humorous repartee.
Source => poemanalysis.com

7. Master of Love Letters

Before texting "U Up?" existed, the dreamy poet John Keats opted for the tender art of love letter writing, wooing his lady in ink-soaked passion: The tumultuous love affair between Keats and Fanny Brawne resulted in over three dozen beautiful love letters, which were later sold by Fanny's children, showcasing some of the most heart-stirring prose ever inked and birthing a legacy of romantic epistles.
Source => englishhistory.net

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