As mentioned in "My First Acquaintance with Poets," which poet does William Hazlitt describe as the "only person I ever knew who answered the idea of a man of genius"?

Correct option is A

Explanation:
In My First Acquaintance with Poets (1823), William Hazlitt recalls his first meeting with Samuel Taylor Coleridge in 1798. Hazlitt was profoundly influenced by Coleridge's eloquence, intellectual depth, and philosophical musings, which he believed embodied the essence of genius. Hazlitt's admiration for Coleridge reflected the latter's towering presence as both a poet and thinker in the Romantic era.

Information Booster:
An essayist and critic of the Romantic period, Hazlitt is known for his keen observations and engaging prose.
My First Acquaintance with Poets provides personal anecdotes and insights into leading Romantic poets.
Coleridge’s Impact:
Hazlitt admired Coleridge's groundbreaking work in poetry (The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Kubla Khan) and his philosophical lectures on literature.
Coleridge's theories on imagination and creativity left a lasting impression on Romantic aesthetics.
Romantic Context: Romanticism celebrated individual genius, imagination, and emotional depth.
Coleridge, alongside Wordsworth, laid the foundation of Romantic poetry with the publication of Lyrical Ballads (1798).
Famous Quote from Hazlitt:
Hazlitt described Coleridge's "wild delight and wonder" during their conversation, affirming his view of Coleridge as a paragon of creative genius.

Additional Knowledge:
Wordsworth: Although admired by Hazlitt, Wordsworth did not elicit the same awe for "genius" as Coleridge did. Hazlitt was critical of Wordsworth's later political conservatism.
Byron: Hazlitt respected Byron's talent but considered his personality and poetry less intellectually profound compared to Coleridge.
Shelley: Hazlitt acknowledged Shelley's lyrical beauty but did not have the same personal interaction or admiration as he did with Coleridge.