Charles Squire

Sir John Collings Squire (1884–1958) was a prominent English writer, poet, and historian, widely recognized for his influential role as the editor of the London Mercury, a significant literary journal during the interwar period. Educated at Blundell's School and Cambridge, Squire began his career with a talent for parody, contributing to publications like The New Age. He also wrote poetry, some of which was satirical during World War I, and served as the literary editor and acting editor for the New Statesman. His anthology series, Selections from Modern Poets, helped define the conservative style of Georgian poetry.

Squire’s tenure at the London Mercury (1919–1934) was a defining period, where he championed Georgian poets and provided a platform for emerging writers. This influence led to the creation of a literary circle known as the "Squirearchy." Despite his editorial power, Squire faced criticism from modernist writers like Virginia Woolf and T. S. Eliot, who felt his editorial choices hindered the acceptance of new literary movements. He was also known for his strong opinions, including a dislike for jazz music. Squire's political views evolved over time, starting with early socialist leanings and later shifting towards the right, even associating with groups connected to Oswald Mosley's British Union of Fascists.

As the editor of the London Mercury from 1919 to 1934, John Collings Squire wielded considerable influence over the literary landscape of the time. The magazine served as a key outlet for Georgian poets and introduced many new authors to the public. Squire cultivated a distinct literary group, referred to by the Bloomsbury group as the "Squirearchy." However, this influence was not universally welcomed. Modernist writers such as Virginia Woolf and T. S. Eliot expressed strong reservations, with Eliot accusing Squire of using the London Mercury to promote popular criticism over modernist innovation. Eliot believed Squire's journalistic skill and editorial power posed a significant obstacle to the success of modernist literature, fearing that "If he succeeds, it will be impossible to get anything good published."

Squire's own poetic output, including his contributions to the Georgian poetry collections, helped shape the era's literary tastes, often favoring a more conservative style. His anthology series, Selections from Modern Poets, became a definitive collection for this movement. During World War I, his poetry took on a satirical tone, and he reviewed for publications like the New Statesman under the pseudonym "Solomon Eagle." Beyond his literary work, Squire cultivated a public persona of a "beer-drinking, cricketing West Countryman." He captained a notable literary cricket team called the Invalids, which was humorously immortalized in A. G. Macdonell's novel England, Their England, with Squire depicted as the editor of a fictional literary paper.

John Collings Squire's political affiliations were varied throughout his life. He began as a young socialist, joined the Marxist Social Democratic Federation, and later wrote as a "Fabian liberal" for the New Statesman, even campaigning for Liberal Party candidates. He stood as a Labour candidate in 1918 and later for the Liberal Party in 1924. Over time, his political views shifted progressively rightward. In 1934, he was involved in the founding of the January Club, a dining club with invited speakers that had connections to Oswald Mosley's British Union of Fascists. Despite his claims that it was not a Fascist organization, its close ties led to Squire eventually finding the atmosphere uncongenial.

“I am not so think as you drunk I am”

“an awful series of jungle noises which can hearten no man.”