Gerard Manley Hopkins was born in 1844 to devout Anglican parents who fostered from an early age their eldest son's commitment to religion and to the creative arts. Hopkins was born in Essex, England, in an area that was then being transformed by industrial development. His mother was well-educated avid reader. His father wrote and reviewed poetry, yet it was new published. From 1854 to 1863 Hopkins attended Highgate Grammar School, where he studied under Canon Dixon, who …showed first 75 words of 592 total…

…showed last 75 words of 592 total…will talk about the Poplars in Binsey that were cut down in 1879. This title already makes me think of a sad poem because it is talking about the "death" of some trees. I also think that the author by giving us the date wants to make us understand the significance of this event; it gives me the same impression as if a real human being has died. Its personally one of my favorite poems ever.