A. E. Housman

Author Picture
born: died: occupation: genre: influences:
26-Mar-1859 30-Apr-1936 Poet, Classical Scholar Poetry, Classical Studies Horace, Propertius, Tibullus, Percy Bysshe Shelley, John Keats

Introduction:

Alfred Edward Housman, born on March 26, 1859, was an English classical scholar and poet. He is best known for his collection of poems titled "A Shropshire Lad," which gained popularity for its nostalgic and often melancholic reflections on youth, love, and mortality.

Education and Academic Career:

Housman studied at St John's College, Oxford, where he developed a deep interest in classical studies, particularly Latin and Greek.

He became a classical scholar and held various academic positions, including the Professorship of Latin at University College, London, and later at Cambridge.

Literary Contributions:

"A Shropshire Lad" (1896): Housman's most famous work, "A Shropshire Lad," is a collection of lyrical poems. The poems are known for their simple, yet profound, expressions of themes such as the transience of life, unrequited love, and the beauty of nature.

Classical Scholarship: Housman made significant contributions to classical scholarship, particularly in the field of textual criticism. His work on Roman poet Manilius is highly regarded.

Legacy:

Alfred E. Housman is remembered as both a distinguished classical scholar and a poet with a distinctive voice.

"A Shropshire Lad" continues to be studied and appreciated for its impact on English poetry.

Quotes.Network's Collection of Housman's Wisdom:

While specific quotes attributed to A. E. Housman may not be widely available, his wisdom is embedded in the poignant verses of "A Shropshire Lad." Exploring his poetry provides insights into the themes that captivated his imagination and left an enduring mark on the landscape of English literature.