William Ernest Henley… If there is one word to describe this poet, it is resilient. In a life of trials and tribulations, he overcame – and his poetry reflected that. A jack of many trades, including poet, critic, and editor, Henley made his name known through his artistic use of language in 19th century England.
William Ernest Henley was born in 1849 in Gloucester to William Henley and Mary Morgan. The Henley household was a bustling one – their nuclear family alone consisted of six children, with William as the firstborn. From the beginning of his life, things weren’t easy. Henley’s father was a struggling bookseller who could barely manage to make ends meet, much less provide a life of luxury for the family. Henley’s father did, however, provide an education for his son. Henley was educated at The Crypt Grammar School. During his six years at The Crypt Grammar School, Henley met the poet Thomas Edward Brown. Brown, the headmaster of the school for a brief period of time, took a liking for Henley. He saw a craving for knowledge and a love for the written English language in him, and thus, took him under …show more content…
William Henley Sr. died shortly after the young Henley became a teenager. He left his mourning widow and six growing children with nothing more than sorrow and a collection of ever mounting debts. At the age of 12, tragedy struck the life of the young poet once again. Henley was diagnosed with tuberculosis. This terrible disease, which ran rampant during this time period, struck his bones. Although many attempts were made to save Henley’s leg, it was ultimately amputated just a few years after. It was there, sitting in the infirmary bed with his new wooden leg, that Henley began writing. Despite being terribly ill, Henley read a lot, taught himself three languages, and corresponded with other scholars around the
William Ernest Henley was born in 1849 in Gloucester to William Henley and Mary Morgan. The Henley household was a bustling one – their nuclear family alone consisted of six children, with William as the firstborn. From the beginning of his life, things weren’t easy. Henley’s father was a struggling bookseller who could barely manage to make ends meet, much less provide a life of luxury for the family. Henley’s father did, however, provide an education for his son. Henley was educated at The Crypt Grammar School. During his six years at The Crypt Grammar School, Henley met the poet Thomas Edward Brown. Brown, the headmaster of the school for a brief period of time, took a liking for Henley. He saw a craving for knowledge and a love for the written English language in him, and thus, took him under …show more content…
William Henley Sr. died shortly after the young Henley became a teenager. He left his mourning widow and six growing children with nothing more than sorrow and a collection of ever mounting debts. At the age of 12, tragedy struck the life of the young poet once again. Henley was diagnosed with tuberculosis. This terrible disease, which ran rampant during this time period, struck his bones. Although many attempts were made to save Henley’s leg, it was ultimately amputated just a few years after. It was there, sitting in the infirmary bed with his new wooden leg, that Henley began writing. Despite being terribly ill, Henley read a lot, taught himself three languages, and corresponded with other scholars around the