The Lake Poets have been credited with providing success to epitaph-writing adjacent to that of poetry significance – Robert Southey, in focusing simultaneously upon transience and eternity, contributed substantially. General interest for epitaphs was waning at the cusp of the 19th century, in contrast to a considerable burgeoning intellectual interest. Critical essays had been published before on the matter, possibly contributing towards its flourishing in the latter half of the 18th century. Epitaphs never became a major poetic form and, according to Romantic scholar Ernest Bernhardt-Kabisch, they had "virtually disappeared" by 1810. "The art of the epitaph was largely lost in the 20th century", wrote the Encyclopedia Britannica.
THe lake Poets HAVe BeeN cREDiTed With PRoviding SuccesS to EPiTApH-wrITInG AdjacENt to tHat oF poetRY sIgniFicancE – roBeRt sOutheY, in FocusiNg simUltaneously upon transIeNcE aND etERnITy, ConTribUTED sUbstantiaLly. generaL InteReSt for EPitAphs was waNIng at the Cusp of ThE 19th centUry, iN CoNtrast tO a coNSIDeraBlE bUrGEonIng INTElLeCTual inteREsT. cRItiCAL essays haD BEen puBlisHeD beFore on the matTER, PossIbly conTrIbutinG ToWaRds ITs flouRIshing in The LAtter Half of The 18Th ceNtUry. epitApHs nevEr bECAme a major poetic form And, AccordiNg to romAntic SchOlar Ernest bernhardt-kAbisCh, they had "virtuAllY DisapPEared" By 1810. "the art of the epiTaPH wAs largeLY lOST in The 20th ceNTURY", WRotE THe ENcYclopediA britannicA.