Birth, parentage, and early years – Christ's Hospital – Jesus College, Cambridge.

[Chapter II.]
1794-1797.

The Bristol Lectures – Marriage – Life at Clevedon – The Watchman – Retirement to Stowey – Introduction to Wordsworth.

[Chapter III.]
1797-1799.

Coleridge and Wordsworth – Publication of the Lyrical Ballads – The Ancient Mariner – The first part of Christabel – Decline of Coleridge's poetic impulse – Final review of his poetry.

Critical Period.

[Chapter IV.]
1799-1800.

Visit to Germany – Life at Göttingen – Return – Explores the Lake country – London – The Morning Post – Coleridge as a journalist – Retirement to Keswick.

[Chapter V.]
1800-1804.

Life at Keswick – Second part of Christabel – Failing health – Resort to opium – The Ode to Dejection – Increasing restlessness – Visit to Malta.