Thomas Hood ( 1799 -- 1845 ) is usually regarded as a humorous poet , towards the end of his life , when he was on his sick bed .
He wrote a number of poems commenting on contemporary poverty .
Although Thomas Hood ( 1799 -- 1845 ) is usually regarded as a humorous poet , towards the end of his life , when he was on his sick bed , he wrote a number of poems commenting on contemporary poverty .