The ‘Original’ Calvert Legacy
In 1794, orphaned and without anywhere to live, William and Dorothy Wordsworth were given their first home, just outside Keswick, rent free, by the Calvert Family. Raisley Calvert was a childhood friend of Wordsworth and believed in Wordsworth’s potential as a poet.
Raisley died, aged 21, of tuberculosis. In his Will, he left Wordsworth the legacy of £900 that was to give him the independence that would allow him to devote himself entirely to poetry and become the Poet Laureate we know today.
Wordsworth immortalised his friend’s legacy in published word:
‘Calvert! It must not be unheard by them who may respect my name,
that I to thee owed many years of early liberty’
Sonnet to the memory of Raisley Calvert
Thus was born, the spirit of Calvert Giving. Over two centuries later, we are so very grateful that it is still alive and well.
How can you help?
Quick Give
Give Regularly
Legacy Giving
Keep in touch
Sign up to our monthly newsletter to stay up to date with our work and find out how you can get involved.
Latest news
Friends of Calvert seeks new Chair as long-serving Trustee Bill Bell retires
Long-serving trustee Bill Bell has retired from the Board of the Lake District Calvert Trust. Bill has also retired as Chairman of Friends of Calvert, a...
Calvert fundraisers Oliver and Elizabeth Voysey honoured at BBC Cumbria Make a Difference Awards
An inspirational brother and sister who helped save the Lake District Calvert Trust from closure have been honoured at BBC Cumbria’s Make a Difference Awards. ...
Cheryl’s Summer Swim to Work
Why is Cheryl from the Marketing department swimming to work every day in July??? The Challenge: I intend to swim across Bassenthwaite Lake to work every...
