One of the best known British Romantic poets, Leigh Hunt had a long and fruitful life. His poetic heritage includes works in many genres, from poems and poetic dramas to translations. He was a remarkable critic and editor, and his poetry was praised for its exceptional mood and atmosphere. Among his favorite topics were friendship, … Continue reading Biography of James Henry Leigh Hunt
The most impressive poems John Masefield wrote, Salt-Water Ballads, are devoted to the sea. This is hardly a surprise, as Masefield spent several years of his life aboard ship. In his long narrative poems (The Everlasting Mercy, for instance) he dared to use colloquial expressions, which could hardly be found in English poetry before. Also, … Continue reading Biography of John Masefield
Edna St. Vincent Millay is an American poetess, one of the first feminists, whose life-affirming poetry sang love and freedom of conscience. She was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in the 1922. A year later, Millay married Dutch coffee merchant Eugene Jan Bossevejn and left her Bohemian life in Manhattan, moved into an old house in … Continue reading Biography of Edna St. Vincent Millay
Robert Graves is considered a very controversial poet, from the artistic point of view, and a social rebel. One of characteristic features of his poetry was the image of Muse (White Goddess, Mother, Mistress), a combination of cruelty and kindness in a woman. He was independent and stood out in the row of poets of … Continue reading Biography of Robert von Ranke Graves
James Martin Fenton is often mentioned among the best known English poets, journalists, and art critics working today. He was educated in Oxford and worked there as a Professor of Poetry for five years. Some of the features characteristic to Fenton’s poetry include strong political position and strive for technical excellence. Fame came to Fenton … Continue reading Biography of James Fenton
A notable 8th-century Muslim saint and Sufi mystic, Rabi’a al-ʻAdawiyya al-Qaysiyya was known under several names, including Hazrat Bibi Rabia Basri. She was born to a family that struggled financially, yet enjoyed the respect and appreciation of the neighbors. Many experts consider her the most famous female Sufi ever known. Rabia preached pure love of … Continue reading Biography of Rabi’a al-‘Adawiyya
St. Catherine of Sienna was consecrated a saint of the Catholic Church in 1461. She is the author of “Dialog, or the book of Divine Providence”, of a big number of letters and various prayers. She devoted her life to God: joined the women’s organization of the Dominican order, conducted active peace-keeping activities and, finally, … Continue reading Biography of Catherine of Siena
Crane Н.Н. was the son of an industrialist. He never graduated from school. In 1917-1924, he lived between Cleveland and New York, working in different places. The constant view on his life as a failure, the feeling as of an outcast, which was also associated with his homosexuality, led to the addiction to alcohol in … Continue reading Biography of Harold Hart Crane