 The poem was praised for its universal aspects , and Gray became one of the most famous English poets of his era . Despite this , after his death only his elegy remained popular until 20th @-@ century critics began to re @-@ evaluate his poetry . The 18th @-@ century writer James Beattie was said by Sir William Forbes , 6th Baronet to have written a letter to him claiming , " Of all the English poets of this age , Mr. Gray is most admired , and I think with justice ; yet there are comparatively speaking but a few who know of anything of his , but his ' Church @-@ yard Elegy , ' which is by no means the best of his works . " 
