Lectures on the English Poets (1818) was written by the English writer, drama and literary critic William Hazlitt. The book gives an introduction on poetry in general. In the later chapters, great poets like Chaucer, Spenser, Shakspeare and Milton are introduced. The book also talks about the old English Ballads and the living poets of the author’s age.

William Hazlitt (10 April 1778 – 18 September 1830) was an English writer, drama and literary critic, painter, social commentator, and philosopher. He is now considered one of the greatest critics and essayists in the history of the English language,placed in the company of Samuel Johnson and George Orwell. He is also acknowledged as the finest art critic of his age.Despite his high standing among historians of literature and art, his work is currently little read and mostly out of print.