Charles Stuart Calverley

Charles Stuart Calverley Biography

Charles Stuart Calverley (22 December 1831 – 17 February 1884) was an English poet and wit, celebrated as the literary father of the "university school of humour." Born in Martley, Worcestershire, he was originally named Charles Stuart Blayds. In 1852, his father, the Rev. Henry Blayds, reverted to the family's ancestral surname, Calverley, which had been changed in 1807.

Calverley attended Harrow School and later Balliol College, Oxford, where he gained a reputation as a brilliant scholar and a high-spirited undergraduate. In 1851, he won the Chancellor's Prize for Latin verse. Following a disciplinary issue, he transferred to Christ's College, Cambridge, in 1852. At Cambridge, he achieved the unique distinction of winning the Chancellor's Prize for Latin verse at both Oxford and Cambridge and graduated second in the Classical Tripos in 1856.

In 1858, Calverley was elected a fellow of Christ's College. He published Verses and Translations in 1862 and was called to the bar in 1865. Unfortunately, a skating accident in 1866 resulted in injuries that curtailed his professional ambitions, leading to a life of invalidity until his death from Bright's disease on 17 February 1884.

Calverley's literary legacy includes works such as Translations into English and Latin (1866), Theocritus Translated into English Verse (1869), Fly Leaves (1872), and Literary Remains (1885). His Complete Works, accompanied by a biographical notice by his brother-in-law Walter Joseph Sendall, were published in 1901.

Trivia About Charles Stuart Calverley

• Calverley was known for his athletic prowess, particularly in jumping, during his school years.
• He was a master of parody, often playfully mocking the works of contemporary poets.
• His poem "Ode to Tobacco" is commemorated on a bronze plaque in Rose Crescent, Cambridge.
• Despite his indolent demeanor, he possessed an extraordinary memory and linguistic skill, excelling in Latin and Greek.

Famous Quotes by Charles Stuart Calverley

• "The auld wife sat at her ivied door, (Butter and eggs and a pound of cheese) A thing she had frequently done before; And her spectacles lay on her aproned knees."
• "O Beer! O Hodgson, Guinness, Allsopp, Bass! Names that should be on every infant's tongue!"

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who was Charles Stuart Calverley?

Charles Stuart Calverley was a 19th-century English poet and wit, renowned for his light verse, parodies, and contributions to university humor.

What are some of Calverley's notable works?

Some of his notable works include Verses and Translations (1862), Fly Leaves (1872), and his translations of Theocritus into English verse (1869).

How did Calverley's academic achievements stand out?

Calverley uniquely won the Chancellor's Prize for Latin verse at both Oxford and Cambridge, showcasing his exceptional scholarly abilities.

Related Literary Movements

Calverley is associated with the Victorian era's light verse and parody traditions, contributing significantly to the university school of humor that satirized academic and literary conventions of his time.

Explore more about Charles Stuart Calverley on eBookTakeAway