Though it gives separate treatment to genres such as idylls, epistolary poems, and popular dramatic monologues, this major assessment of Tennyson's work is broadly chronological. His variety of interest and the excellence of his later poetry are emphasized (most of the significant contributions to Idylls of the King belong to the final period of its development). Observing due proportion as far as possible, this perceptive and unusually comprehensive survey assesses the literary merits of Tennyson and the modern significance of his ideas. Its value is enhanced by a detailed biographical introduction and a generous selection of illustrations.

F.B. PINION taught in the Department of Education at the University of Sheffield, where he was a Reader in English Studies and a Sub-Dean of the Faculty of Arts. He has held various school appointments; he was Visiting Lecturer in English Literature at the University of Michigan from 1964 to 1965; and he has held a Mid-America State Universities Distinguished Foreign Scholar award.