Winchilsea, Anne Finch, countess of

Winchilsea, Anne Finch, countess of (wĭn`chəlsē), 1661–1720, English poet. In 1684 she married Heneage Finch, who became (1712) 4th earl of Winchilsea. Though her friendships extended to the foremost literary figures of the day, including Pope and Swift, she never became part of the London literary coterie. Her most celebrated poem, the Pindaric ode "The Spleen," appeared in Charles Gildon's miscellany in 1701. The only early collection of her poems was Miscellany Poems Written by a Lady (1713). Her nature poetry was greatly admired by Wordsworth.