Is the poet and the writer of prose the same person?
One or two men of letters, beginning with a poet, than whom only Shakespeare
had a more splendid genius, and ending with a writer of prose whose view of life has affected profoundly the generation of which Philip was a member, had gone forth from its gates to achieve fame;

Question

Is the poet and the writer of prose the same person?
One or two men of letters, beginning with a poet, than whom only Shakespeare 
had a more splendid genius, and ending with a writer of prose whose view of life has affected profoundly the generation of which Philip was a member, had gone forth from its gates to achieve fame;

Answer

It seems like it refers to two different people. But maybe having more of the text would help me answer your question?