Peter Masefield

John Masefield, born in 1878, became a prominent English poet and writer, holding the position of Poet Laureate from 1930 until his passing in 1967. His literary career began after a youth spent at sea, where his love for storytelling and poetry developed. Despite early hardships, including the loss of both parents, Masefield found inspiration in literature and his maritime experiences. His early published works, such as 'Salt-Water Ballads,' gained attention, followed by narrative poems like 'The Everlasting Mercy' and children's novels including 'The Midnight Folk' and 'The Box of Delights,' which brought him wider recognition.

Masefield's life also involved service during wartime, including working in a hospital for French soldiers and contributing to British war efforts through writing. He undertook lecture tours in the United States, where he honed his public speaking skills and received honorary doctorates. In his later years, he settled near Oxford, engaging in rural pursuits like beekeeping and continuing to write prolifically across various genres. He was also instrumental in promoting the public speaking of verse through initiatives like Oxford Recitations.

Born in Herefordshire, John Masefield experienced significant loss in his childhood, with the deaths of his mother and father. He received his early education at the King's School in Warwick before training for a life at sea aboard HMS Conway. During his time at sea, Masefield cultivated a deep appreciation for storytelling, sea lore, and literature, which he saw as a means to break his intense habit of reading. His voyages, including a journey to Chile on the Gilcruix and a trip to New York on the windjammer, provided rich material for his future writings, such as the narrative poem 'Dauber.' His experiences in New York also led him to discover poetry, which profoundly influenced his life and career.

Masefield's literary output gained momentum after his return to England. His first collection, 'Salt-Water Ballads,' was published in 1902, featuring the well-known poem 'Sea-Fever.' He went on to write novels like 'Captain Margaret' and 'Multitude and Solitude.' A significant turning point came in 1911 with 'The Everlasting Mercy,' a narrative poem that, along with subsequent works like 'The Widow in the Bye Street' and 'Dauber,' established his reputation and earned him critical praise and the Edmond de Polignac Prize in 1912. His 'Collected Poems' in 1923 saw remarkable sales, underscoring his popularity.

During World War I, Masefield contributed to the war effort by serving in a hospital for French soldiers and undertaking lecture tours in the United States. He wrote accounts of his experiences, including 'Gallipoli' and 'The Old Front Line,' which aimed to inform American audiences and counter propaganda. His return to the US for a second lecture tour further refined his public speaking abilities. In the 1920s, Masefield settled near Oxford, pursuing rural activities and writing extensively. He produced a variety of works, including narrative poems and 12 novels between 1924 and 1939, covering diverse themes from sea adventures to children's fantasies, and also wrote plays with Christian themes.

Beyond his own writing, Masefield was a strong advocate for the art of speaking poetry aloud. In 1921, he delivered the British Academy's Shakespeare Lecture and received an honorary doctorate from Oxford University. He was instrumental in organizing 'Oxford Recitations' starting in 1923, an annual event designed to identify and encourage skilled verse speakers and promote the appreciation of poetry. He also co-founded the Scottish Association for the Speaking of Verse in 1924. While the competitive aspect of Oxford Recitations eventually ceased, Masefield's efforts significantly contributed to the movement for the beautiful and natural speaking of poetry.

“I had never (till that time) cared very much for poetry, but your poem impressed me deeply, and set me on fire. Since then poetry has been the one deep influence in my life, and to my love of poetry I owe all my friends, and the position I now hold.”