Who is considered one of the leading figures of the Romantic period in British literature?

William Wordsworth is widely regarded as one of the central figures of the Romantic period in British literature, which extended from the late 18th century to the mid-19th century. He, along with Samuel Taylor Coleridge, published "Lyrical Ballads" in 1798, a work that is often credited with marking the beginning of the Romantic movement in England. Wordsworth's poetry emphasized emotion, nature, and the individual experience, reflecting the core principles of Romanticism that celebrated personal feelings and the sublime beauty of the natural world.

In addition to "Lyrical Ballads," Wordsworth's major work, "Prelude," serves as a key text illustrating his philosophy of poetry and his belief in the transformative power of nature and memory. His focus on language that is ordinary and accessible to the common person also differentiates his work from that of his predecessors, establishing a foundational influence for later poets.

The other figures mentioned, such as Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, and George Eliot, although significant in their own right, are associated with different literary movements and periods. Dickens is primarily known for his contributions to Victorian literature and social commentary, Austen is recognized for her novels of romantic fiction and her keen observations on social manners and relationships