Siegfried Sassoon

Siegfried Sassoon Biography

Siegfried Loraine Sassoon (8 September 1886 – 1 September 1967) was an English war poet, writer, and soldier. Born in Matfield, Kent, into a wealthy family, he was educated at Marlborough College and later at Clare College, Cambridge, though he left without a degree. At the outbreak of World War I, Sassoon enlisted in the British Army, serving with the Royal Welch Fusiliers. His experiences in the trenches profoundly influenced his writing, leading him to produce some of the most poignant anti-war poetry of the time.

Sassoon's early war poems were patriotic, but as the conflict dragged on, his work became increasingly critical of the war's senseless brutality. In 1917, he made a public declaration against the continuation of the war, resulting in his admission to Craiglockhart War Hospital, where he met fellow poet Wilfred Owen. Their friendship was instrumental in shaping war literature, with Sassoon mentoring Owen and influencing his poetic voice.

After the war, Sassoon continued to write, producing the semi-autobiographical 'Sherston Trilogy,' which vividly recounts his wartime experiences. He also served as a literary editor and remained active in literary circles. In his later years, Sassoon converted to Catholicism and led a more reclusive life until his passing on 1 September 1967 in Heytesbury, Wiltshire.

Trivia About Siegfried Sassoon

• Sassoon was awarded the Military Cross for bravery during World War I.
• He was nicknamed "Mad Jack" by his soldiers for his fearless actions on the battlefield.
• Sassoon's protest against the war led to his hospitalization rather than a court-martial, due to intervention by his friend Robert Graves.
• He mentored Wilfred Owen, who became one of the most famous war poets.

Famous Quotes by Siegfried Sassoon

• "I am making this statement as an act of wilful defiance of military authority, because I believe that the war is being deliberately prolonged by those who have the power to end it."
• "In me the tiger sniffs the rose."
• "Soldiers are citizens of death's grey land, drawing no dividend from time's tomorrows."

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who was Siegfried Sassoon?

Siegfried Sassoon was an English poet, writer, and soldier, best known for his anti-war poetry during World War I, which vividly depicted the horrors of trench warfare.

What is the 'Soldier's Declaration'?

The 'Soldier's Declaration' was a statement made by Sassoon in 1917, protesting the continuation of World War I, which he believed was being unnecessarily prolonged.

How did Siegfried Sassoon influence Wilfred Owen?

While at Craiglockhart War Hospital, Sassoon met and mentored Wilfred Owen, influencing his development as a poet and helping him find his voice in war poetry.

Related Literary Movements

Sassoon was a key figure in the war poetry movement of the early 20th century, using his works to protest the romanticism of war and highlight its grim realities. His writings are associated with the broader modernist movement, which sought to break away from traditional forms and subjects in literature.

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