Joseph Laurie

Laurie Lee, born in 1914, was an English poet, novelist, and screenwriter whose life and work were deeply influenced by his upbringing in the Gloucestershire village of Slad. His most famous writings include the autobiographical trilogy: 'Cider with Rosie' (1959), 'As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning' (1969), and 'A Moment of War' (1991). The first book vividly depicts his childhood, the second details his journey to London and first experiences in Spain, and the third recounts his service in the Spanish Civil War with the International Brigades. Lee's early life was marked by his father's absence after World War I and a close relationship with his mother's family. He showed an early aptitude for music, playing the violin at dances, and later developed an interest in politics through encounters with Tolstoyan anarchists. His travels in Spain profoundly shaped his writing, leading to his participation in the Spanish Civil War, an experience later documented in his memoirs. Lee also worked as a journalist and screenwriter, contributing to documentary films and government publications before the success of 'Cider with Rosie' allowed him to focus entirely on writing. He received several awards and honors for his literary contributions, and a statue was erected in his honor in Almuñécar, Spain. Lee passed away in 1997 in his beloved Slad.

Born in Stroud, Gloucestershire, in 1914, Laurie Lee relocated with his family to the village of Slad in 1917, an event that shaped his seminal novel 'Cider with Rosie'. His father, a civil servant, did not return to the family after serving in World War I. Lee grew up with his mother's family, developing a strong connection to his rural surroundings. From a young age, he displayed musical talent, earning money by playing the violin at local dances. His teenage years saw him briefly working as an errand boy before his encounter with the Whiteway Colony, a community founded by Tolstoyan anarchists. This experience provided him with an initial exposure to political ideas and introduced him to influential figures like composer Benjamin Frankel and 'Cleo,' a woman who inspired his writing. He also met Sophia Rogers, who hailed from Buenos Aires and whose few words of Spanish he credits with motivating his eventual journey to Spain.

In 1935, Lee left England for Spain, initially working odd jobs and supporting himself by playing his violin. His travels across Andalusia and Galicia, often on foot, formed the basis for 'As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning.' The outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1936 led him to volunteer with the International Brigades, an experience cut short by his epilepsy and later chronicled in 'A Moment of War.' Despite some posthumous claims questioning his war involvement, his widow dismissed them as unfounded. Lee's literary career gained significant momentum with the publication of 'Cider with Rosie' in 1959. This autobiographical work, detailing his childhood in the Slad Valley, achieved immense popularity and critical acclaim, allowing him to become a full-time writer. He also worked as a journalist and screenwriter, contributing to documentary films during World War II and holding a position as Publications Editor for the Ministry of Information. His marriage to Catherine Francesca Polge, daughter of Helen Garman, resulted in a daughter, Jessie. He was recognized for his contributions with a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1952.

While Lee is primarily celebrated for his prose, poetry was a lifelong passion. His poems began appearing in local and national publications, with 'Life' winning a prize in 1934. His first poetry collection, 'The Sun My Monument,' was published in 1944, followed by 'The Bloom of Candles' (1947) and 'My Many-coated Man' (1955). His war-era poems often captured the prevailing atmosphere while also celebrating the English countryside. One of his poems, 'Twelfth Night,' was later set to music by composer Samuel Barber. Beyond his autobiographical trilogy, Lee authored other notable works, including 'A Rose for Winter,' a travelogue about Andalusia, and 'Two Women,' which explored his courtship and marriage. He also penned travel books, essays, radio plays, and short stories. His contributions extended to screenwriting, with works like 'Cyprus Is an Island,' and radio plays such as 'The Voyage of Magellan.' Lee's deep connection to his roots led him and his wife to return to Slad, where he lived until his death in 1997.