WH Auden
WH Auden was a British-American poet whose work influenced 20th-century literature through its intellectual rigour, technical excellence, and exploration of politics, morality, love, and faith. Born in York and raised in Birmingham, England, he had an early interest in science and engineering and earned a scholarship to Oxford University. His interest in poetry led him to change his studies to English. After graduating, he embarked on a career as a teacher and writer. His first book, Poems (1930), established him as a major literary voice, and his collaborations with Christopher Isherwood in the 1930s further cemented his reputation. His poetry, ranging from lyrical to dramatic, often reflected the social and political upheavals of his time.
In 1939, Auden moved to the United States, distancing himself from his earlier political associations and embracing themes of philosophy, theology, and human nature. He became a U.S. citizen in 1946 and spent much of his career teaching at American universities. His long poem The Age of Anxiety (1947) won the Pulitzer Prize and popularized a phrase that defined the modern era. Over time, his work became increasingly introspective, grappling with faith, personal responsibility, and the search for meaning.
Auden’s writings extended beyond poetry; he wrote essays, reviews, librettos, and plays, demonstrating remarkable versatility. He served as Oxford’s Professor of Poetry from 1956 to 1961, where his lectures were widely acclaimed. After his death, his poems gained renewed popularity through films and media. Today, Auden is remembered as one of the most significant poets of the 20th century.
