Rogers, Samuel (1763–1855)

English poet and wit. He was highly esteemed as a poet in his lifetime but his verse is little read today. He is remembered chiefly as a conversationalist; his breakfast parties were famous.

He was born in London and entered his father's bank, becoming its head 1793. He was offered the poet laureateship 1850, on the death of William Wordsworth, but declined.

Rogers's work is stylish but lacks originality; it includes The Pleasures of Memory 1792, The Voyage of Columbus 1810, Jacqueline 1814, and Italy 1822–28.