Edward Taylor

Edward Taylor (c. 1642-1729) was a colonial American poet and Puritan minister who wrote deeply religious poetry during America's early settlement period. His works remained largely unpublished during his lifetime and were not discovered until 1937 at Yale University. Taylor served as a minister in Westfield, Massachusetts, where he wrote numerous poems, including his most famous works "Preparatory Meditations" and "Gods Determinations touching his Elect." His poetry combined complex metaphysical style with Puritan religious themes, often using elaborate conceits and imagery drawn from everyday colonial life. The discovery of Taylor's poetry significantly changed scholars' understanding of early American literature, revealing a sophisticated literary tradition that predated the nation's founding. His writing style shows clear influences from British metaphysical poets like George Herbert and John Donne, while maintaining distinctly American elements in its imagery and concerns. Taylor's verse is characterized by its intense spiritual focus and the struggle between human unworthiness and divine grace, themes that were central to Puritan theology. His poetic manuscripts were carefully preserved by his family for generations before being donated to Yale, where their eventual discovery established him as one of colonial America's most significant literary figures.

Edward Taylor's poetry draws polarized responses from modern readers, particularly regarding its dense religious imagery and complex metaphysical style. Readers appreciate: - The historical significance of finding authentic colonial American poetry - His unique blend of everyday colonial imagery with spiritual themes - The raw emotional honesty in describing religious struggles - The craftsmanship of his metaphors and word choices Common criticisms: - Heavy religious focus makes poems inaccessible to secular readers - Complex Puritan language and references require extensive footnotes - Repetitive themes across multiple poems - Challenging metaphysical conceits that can feel forced On Goodreads, Taylor's collected works average 3.7/5 stars across 200+ ratings. Several reviewers note the poems work better studied in small doses rather than read straight through. One reader commented: "The metaphors are fascinating but exhausting - everything becomes a spiritual allegory." Academic readers tend to rate his work higher than casual readers, with many praising his technical skill while acknowledging the poems' difficulty for modern audiences.

Preparatory Meditations (1682-1725) - A collection of over 200 poems examining Christian faith and divine grace, written while Taylor prepared for administering communion.

God's Determinations touching his Elect (c. 1680) - A long poem depicting the spiritual journey of the soul, structured as a dialogue between God, Satan, and the human soul.

The Poetical Works of Edward Taylor (published 1939) - The first comprehensive collection of Taylor's poetry, including previously unpublished works discovered at Yale University.

Christographia (c. 1690) - A series of fourteen sermons exploring the nature and attributes of Christ.

A Transcript of Edward Taylor's Metrical History of Christianity (c. 1680) - A verse history of Christianity from creation to Taylor's time, blending historical and theological elements.

Upon a Spider Catching a Fly (c. 1682) - A meditative poem using the image of a spider and fly to explore spiritual themes of predestination and salvation.

Huswifery (c. 1685) - A metaphysical poem comparing spiritual transformation to the process of spinning, weaving, and making cloth.

Anne Bradstreet wrote Puritan poetry in colonial America and explored spiritual themes through domestic imagery. Her metaphysical style and focus on personal devotion share similarities with Taylor's approach.

George Herbert produced religious poetry in 17th century England that merged complex metaphors with Christian faith. His work "The Temple" demonstrates the same type of spiritual meditation and elaborate conceits found in Taylor's poetry.

John Donne created metaphysical poems that combine intellectual rigor with religious passion. His holy sonnets tackle similar theological concepts and use comparable poetic techniques to Taylor's work.

Michael Wigglesworth composed Puritan verse in colonial New England focusing on sin, judgment, and salvation. His work "Day of Doom" reflects the same religious environment and doctrinal concerns that shaped Taylor's writing.

Richard Crashaw wrote devotional poetry that fuses Catholic mysticism with metaphysical style. His use of elaborate metaphors and intense religious feeling mirrors Taylor's poetic approach.