 The version that was later published and reprinted was a 32 @-@ stanza version with the " Epitaph " conclusion . Before the final version was published , it was circulated in London society by Walpole , who ensured that it would be a popular topic of discussion throughout 1750 . By February 1751 , Gray received word that William Owen , the publisher of the Magazine of Magazines , would print the poem on 16 February ; the copyright laws of the time did not require Gray 's approval for publication . With Walpole 's help , he was able to convince Robert Dodsley to print the poem on 15 February as a quarto pamphlet . 
