The famous poetic line "A thing of beauty is a joy for ever" was written by which English Romantic poet?

Introduction / Context:
This question belongs to English poetry and quotations. Many exams include well known lines from poems and ask you to name the poet. The line "A thing of beauty is a joy for ever" is one of the most quoted lines in English literature and comes from the Romantic period, so matching it with the correct poet is a key skill.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The quoted line is "A thing of beauty is a joy for ever".
• Four poets are given: P. B. Shelley, William Wordsworth, John Keats and Robert Browning.
• All are important English poets, but only one wrote this line.
• The line emphasises beauty and lasting joy, which are typical Romantic themes.

Concept / Approach:
John Keats wrote this line in the poem "Endymion", which begins with the statement that a thing of beauty gives lasting joy. Although Shelley and Wordsworth are also Romantic poets and Browning is a later Victorian poet, this particular quotation is widely and specifically associated with Keats. Recognising the opening lines of famous poems is crucial for questions like this.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that "A thing of beauty is a joy for ever" is the opening line of Keats poem "Endymion". Step 2: Note that Keats poetry often celebrates beauty, imagination and nature in a very direct and sensuous style. Step 3: Compare the options. Although Wordsworth and Shelley also wrote about nature and beauty, this exact phrase is not found in their works. Step 4: Robert Browning belongs to a slightly later period and is known for dramatic monologues, not for this line about beauty. Step 5: Since the quotation is strongly tied to Keats and "Endymion", select John Keats as the author.

Verification / Alternative check:
Textbooks on English poetry and collections of quotations attribute this line to John Keats without exception. Any anthology that prints the poem "Endymion" shows this line at the beginning, confirming the association in a clear and direct way. Shelley, Wordsworth and Browning have many famous lines, but this one does not appear among their writings.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Shelley wrote poems like "Ode to the West Wind" and "To a Skylark", while Wordsworth wrote "Daffodils" and "Tintern Abbey". Browning is known for "My Last Duchess" and similar works. None of these poets use the exact phrase given in the question. Selecting them usually results from recognising the general Romantic style but not remembering the specific source.

Common Pitfalls:
Because students often learn Romantic poets together, they may mix up which line belongs to which poet, especially between Keats and Wordsworth. A simple memory trick is to associate Keats with the idea that beauty itself is a continuous joy, while Wordsworth is more often linked with recollection and memory in tranquillity. Practising with key opening lines can reduce confusion in time pressured exams.

Final Answer:
John Keats