The Poetry Of Alfred Austin

Poetry is a fascinating use of language. With almost a million words at their command, it is not surprising that English poets have produced some of the most beautiful, moving, and descriptive verse through the centuries. In this volume we look at the works of the Victorian Poet Laureate, Alfred Austin.

Born in Headingly, Yorkshire, in 1835, Austin went on to graduate from the University of London in 1853. His training to be a barrister was a success, but his love of literature transformed him into a full-time novelist, playwright, and poet. After several unsuccessful attempts, his poetry was finally published for the first time in 1861, arriving with a measure of success. In 1870 he wrote Poetry Of The Period, in which he managed to criticize the great Victorian poets Tennyson, Arnold, Swinburne, and Browning without an undue measure of negativity. With the death of Tennyson in 1892, a number of candidates were considered for the post of Poet Laureate. Austin would ultimately be appointed for the role in 1896.

Austin’s work was entwined with his love of nature, and he is a fine example of the imperial age. His poems have a deeply rewarding sense of softness, texture, and comfort.