To An Athlete Dying Young
Alfred Edward Housman, commonly known as A. E. Housman, was an author and an English classical poet who wrote a multitude of poems that truly made an impact on the world. Housman was born on March 26th, 1859 in a small house on the outskirts of Worcestershire, England, later dying at the age of 77 on April 30th. Housman began his academic journey at a small school, later proceeding to attend St. Johns College in Oxford. At an early age, Housman’s academic power was prevalent, winning multiple awards for his poetry before going to college, and creating a multitude of great, influential poems. Before this success, Housman went through tough times at St. Johns, related to the end of his hopeful relationship with his roommate Moses Jackson. Most people don’t know that Alfred Edward Housman was in
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fact a homosexual, often seen as the reason to why he failed to obtain a degree, but this situation proved to be crucial to the later success of Housman; declaring that he would vindicate his intellectual ability and make up for this disappointing failure. Housman became a professor of Latin at the University College London. Consequently, immersing himself in the studies of Latin and Greek works, Housman developed his specialty, which was Latin poetry, and became one of the best writers of his time. A Shropshire Lad, containing his most famous poems, is a collection of 63 poems, all containing a main theme of preoccupation with death, and the gloomy attitudes normally associated with it.
This compilation reveals emotion and vulnerability otherwise previously unknown within Housman, which grabbed the attention of many of his students and colleagues. Originally, the compilation was rejected by publishers, but being the determined individual he was, Housman published his work in 1896. Furthermore, To an Athlete Dying Young, is one of Housman’s most famous poems, and is a part of the 63 poems included in A Shropshire Lad. To an Athlete Dying young is a poem which informs the reader of the tragic death of a young, aspiring athlete. With its main theme being the sorrow of a great athlete dying early in their career, this poem seems to be written in order to express the speakers own sadness for a tragic end in their athletic endeavors earlier in life. This theme may also be related to a common subject found in a multitude of his other poems; preoccupation with death. Simply put, you never know what is going to happen in life, or how, so make the most out of it while you
can.
Alfred E. Housman’s A Shropshire lad; along with To an Athlete Dying Young both gained their popularity by becoming a part of history. Primarily, the poems got off to a slow start, but soon began to rapidly become a lasting success throughout World War I; the compilation of 63 poems became well known due to its appeal to English musicians. In addition, the success of the compilation spread throughout Britain, and Housman became a source of inspiration for aspiring poets writing about the war at hand.
A Shropshire Lad and Last Poems are Housman’s only two volumes of poetry. Last Poems, created almost all before 1910, was written upon hearing the news that Moses Jackson was dying in Canada in the 1920’s; these poems were supposed to be a relief effort for his friend. Upon deciding that his inspiration had dwindled away, Housman stopped all creating and publishing of works in the early 1920’s.
fact a homosexual, often seen as the reason to why he failed to obtain a degree, but this situation proved to be crucial to the later success of Housman; declaring that he would vindicate his intellectual ability and make up for this disappointing failure. Housman became a professor of Latin at the University College London. Consequently, immersing himself in the studies of Latin and Greek works, Housman developed his specialty, which was Latin poetry, and became one of the best writers of his time. A Shropshire Lad, containing his most famous poems, is a collection of 63 poems, all containing a main theme of preoccupation with death, and the gloomy attitudes normally associated with it.
This compilation reveals emotion and vulnerability otherwise previously unknown within Housman, which grabbed the attention of many of his students and colleagues. Originally, the compilation was rejected by publishers, but being the determined individual he was, Housman published his work in 1896. Furthermore, To an Athlete Dying Young, is one of Housman’s most famous poems, and is a part of the 63 poems included in A Shropshire Lad. To an Athlete Dying young is a poem which informs the reader of the tragic death of a young, aspiring athlete. With its main theme being the sorrow of a great athlete dying early in their career, this poem seems to be written in order to express the speakers own sadness for a tragic end in their athletic endeavors earlier in life. This theme may also be related to a common subject found in a multitude of his other poems; preoccupation with death. Simply put, you never know what is going to happen in life, or how, so make the most out of it while you
can.
Alfred E. Housman’s A Shropshire lad; along with To an Athlete Dying Young both gained their popularity by becoming a part of history. Primarily, the poems got off to a slow start, but soon began to rapidly become a lasting success throughout World War I; the compilation of 63 poems became well known due to its appeal to English musicians. In addition, the success of the compilation spread throughout Britain, and Housman became a source of inspiration for aspiring poets writing about the war at hand.
A Shropshire Lad and Last Poems are Housman’s only two volumes of poetry. Last Poems, created almost all before 1910, was written upon hearing the news that Moses Jackson was dying in Canada in the 1920’s; these poems were supposed to be a relief effort for his friend. Upon deciding that his inspiration had dwindled away, Housman stopped all creating and publishing of works in the early 1920’s.