Masefield was born in Ledbury in 1878. Having entered the Merchant Navy Masefield deserted ship in America where he drifted for some time. Returning to England he became a journalist and his interest in writing was explored, publishing several volumes of poetry before the outbreak of World War One. During the war Masefield was a member of the Red Cross and witnessed the disaster at Gallipoli, which he later wrote about in his position as head of the War Propaganda Bureau. During the twenties and thirties Masefield wrote numerous volumes of poetry which were most successful, as well as two novels and an autobiography. Masefield continued to write until his death in 1967. Enid Knowles (died 2000) worked at the Times and the Sunday Times as a secretary, business manager and executive assistant to the chairman and editor from 1955 until 1982.
From the guide to the John Masefield: Enid Knowles collection, c1957-c1988, (Senate House Library (University of London))
