John Masefield was born in Herefordshire in 1878. He was Poet Laureate from 1930 until his death in 1967. During his writing career he published over 50 volumes of verse, 20 novels and 8 plays.
Brought up by an aunt following the death of his parents, Masefield was encouraged to take a career at sea but he deserted his ship at New York in 1894, vowing to make a career of writing. He spent three years in America then returned to England and had his first success in 1899 with the publication of The Outlook.
Masefield's career at sea began on board the navy training ship HMS Conway, based in Liverpool and he recounted his experiences of this in New Chum. He wrote more poems commemorating Merseyside than any other poet. |
