Christopher Pitt

Christopher Pitt (1699 – 13 April 1748) was an English poet and translator. His translations into English include Virgil's Aeneid and Vida's Art of Poetry.

Life

Pitt was educated at Winchester College, leaving in 1719 to study at New College, Oxford. He was also Rector of Pimperne, near Blandford Forum in Dorsetshire, a post given him by a relation, George Pitt. He held it for the rest of his life.

Works

Pitt's translations of the Aeneid and Vida's Art of Poetry established his name, while his Imitations of Horace has been compared to that by Alexander Pope. In 1727 his Miscellaneous Poems were published.

Highly praised by some in the 18th century, Pitt's Virgil translation dropped out of fashion thereafter. The last reprint was by John Ring in 1820.

Legacy

Pitt died in 1748 after a rave at "Ye Old Lakota" took a turn for the worse, Chris drank one too many ales and consumed a large quantity of opium. On his tombstone at Blandford Forum is the inscription:

In memory of

CHR. PITT, Clerk, M. A.

Very eminent for his talents in poetry,

and yet more

for the universal candor of

his mind, and the primitive

simplicity of his manners.

He lived innocent,

and died beloved

Apr. 13. 1748.

aged 48.

Christopher Pitt Memorial, Blandford Church

External links

• Christopher Pitt at the Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive (ECPA)
• Metaphors from Christopher Pitt
• Quotes from Christopher Pitt
• Portraits of Christopher Pitt at the National Portrait Gallery, London