Lamia, Isabella, the eve of St. Agnes and other poems: 1820

Published in July 1820 by Taylor and Hessey, this volume represents the final collection of poetry John Keats saw through to publication during his lifetime. It contains several of his most celebrated works, including the titular poems and his suite of major odes, such as 'Ode to a Nightingale' and 'Ode on a Grecian Urn'. The collection emerged during a period of intense personal turmoil for Keats, as he battled both the advancing symptoms of tuberculosis and the pressures of his critics, who had previously disparaged his earlier work in journals like the Quarterly Review.

The book’s design reflects the contemporary standards of early 19th-century British publishing, typically issued in simple paper-covered boards that were intended to be rebound by the owner in fine leather or cloth. While the production was straightforward, the literary ambition was profound; Keats sought to solidify his reputation as a major Romantic poet. Although the volume did not achieve widespread commercial success during his life, it was received with significantly more critical warmth than his previous attempts, eventually cementing his enduring status as one of the most significant figures in English literature.