John Keats , (born October 31, 1795, London, England—died February 23, 1821, Rome, Papal States [Italy]), English Romantic lyric poet who devoted his short life to the perfection of a poetry marked by vivid imagery, great sensuous appeal, and an attempt to express a philosophy through classical legend. Keats was an English Romantic lyric poet whose verse is known for its vivid imagery and great sensuous appeal. His reputation grew after his early death, and he was greatly admired in the Victorian Age. His influence can be seen in the poetry of Alfred, Lord Tennyson, and the Pre-Raphaelites, among others. Keats wrote with great insight and emotion about art and beauty, love and loss, suffering and nature. His famous poems include 'Ode on a Grecian Urn' and 'La Belle Dame Sans Merci'. Themes in Keats's Major Poems transient sensation or passion / enduring art. dream or vision / reality. joy / melancholy. the ideal / the real. ...