Lascelles Abercrombie

Early Life and Education

Lascelles Abercrombie was born on January 9, 1881, in Ashton-on-Mersey, Cheshire, England. He grew up in a middle-class family and received his education at Malvern College and Owens College, Manchester, where he studied English literature.

Career Beginnings and Association with the Dymock Poets

After his education, Abercrombie worked as a journalist and later taught English at the University of Leeds. He became associated with the Georgian poets while living in Dymock, Gloucestershire. He collaborated with renowned poets such as Robert Frost, Rupert Brooke, and Edward Thomas.

Notable Works and Literary Contributions

Abercrombie gained recognition for his poetry and literary criticism. Some of his notable works include “Interludes and Poems” (1908), “Mary and the Bramble” (1910), “Emblems of Love” (1912), and “Speculative Dialogues” (1913). He also authored important essays on poetry and literary theory.

Academic Career and Lectureships

Following World War I, Abercrombie became the first poetry lecturer at the University of Liverpool. In 1929, he moved to the University of London, and later, in 1935, he was awarded the prestigious Goldsmiths’ Readership at the University of Oxford, further enhancing his academic influence.

Later Years and Legacy

Lascelles Abercrombie continued to publish poetry and essays until his death in London on October 27, 1938, at the age of 57. His contributions to early 20th-century English poetry remain significant, and his work continues to be studied by literary scholars and enthusiasts.