John Masefield

John Masefield Biography

John Masefield was an English poet, playwright, and novelist. He was born in 1878 in Ledbury, Herefordshire, England and grew up in a small town. He was the son of a solicitor and was educated at King's School in Worcester. Masefield was deeply interested in literature from a young age and began writing poetry in his teens. He left school at the age of 16 to go to sea, working as a merchant sailor for several years. He traveled the world and these experiences would later influence his writing.

In 1902, Masefield published his first book of poetry, "Salt-Water Ballads," which was well-received by critics. He went on to publish several more books of poetry and plays. In 1911, he was appointed as the Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom, a position he held until his death in 1967.

Masefield's writing often focused on themes of nature, the sea, and the human condition. He was also known for his vivid descriptions of life at sea, drawing on his own experiences as a sailor. Some of his most famous works include "The Everlasting Mercy" and "The Widow in the Bye Street."

Masefield received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the Order of Merit in 1935 and the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry in 1957. He passed away in 1967 at the age of 89 in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, England.

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