Masefield, John, 1878-1967
Variant namesThe English poet, playwright and novelist John Masefield was born in 1878 in Ledbury. After running away to sea early (when he was thirteen) he settled in London from 1897 and devoted himself to writing. Later he moved to Oxford which was where he lived when most of the following collection was produced. Masefield became Poet Laureate in 1930 and was awarded the Order of Merit in 1935. Among his more notable works are some early reflections of his maritime experiences in Salt Water Ballads (1902) and A Mainsail Haul (1905); The Tragedy of Pompey the Great (1910); The Widow in Bye Street (1912); Dauber (1913); Reynard the Fox (1919); Sard Harker (1924); Dead Ned (1938); and Live and Kicking Ned (1939). John Masefield died in 1967.
From the guide to the John Masefield papers MS 323., 1911-1931, (Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University, Houston, TX)
John Edward Masefield (1878-1967), poet laureate 1930-1967, was born at The Knapp, Ledbury, Herefordshire, on 1st June 1878, the son of George Edward Masefield, solicitor, and his wife, Caroline Louisa Parker. His mother died when he was six, and his father a year or so later, and he was brought up by his uncle and aunt. After a period at sea from the age of thirteen, he worked at menial tasks in the States for two years before returning to Britain in 1897. He then set about realising his aspirations to become a writer. He contributed to a number of periodicals and published his first book of poems, Salt Water Ballads, in 1902. In 1911 he published his first major work, The Everlasting Mercy, and, according to the DNB, his zenith was reached with the publication of Reynard the Fox in 1919. He served in the Great War in the Red Cross in France and the Dardanelles. In addition to his poetry, he was a very competent novelist and biographer, and a historian of the sea. In 1930 he was appointed Poet Laureate, and in 1935 he received the distinction of the Order of Merit. In 1937 he became President of the Society of Authors. He married Constance Crommelin (d. 1960) in 1903; they had one son (killed in action in 1942) and a daughter, Judith. He died at his home near Abingdon on 12th May 1967.
From the guide to the Masefield Letters, 1915-1966, (University of Exeter)
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Relation | Name |
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associatedWith | A.P. Watt (Firm) |
associatedWith | Adelman, Seymour, 1906- |
correspondedWith | Aldrich, Thomas Bailey, 1836-1907 |
associatedWith | Allen, Helen Howe, |
associatedWith | Allen, Reginald, |
associatedWith | B. Rota |
associatedWith | Babington, Margaret Agnes. |
associatedWith | Baker, George Pierce, 1866-1935. |
associatedWith | Balclutha (built 1886; ship, 3m) |
associatedWith | Bates, Katharine Lee, 1859-1929. |
Person
Birth 1878-06-01
Death 1967-05-12
Male
Britons
English
Variant Names
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Masefield, John, 1878-1967
Masefield, John, 1878-1967 | Title |
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