A poem by this poet

W. H. Auden

1907-1973

Born in York, England, Wystan Hugh Auden was educated at Christ’s Church College, Oxford University where he pursued his interest in poetry. His first two books of verse, published in 1928 and 1930, earned Auden a reputation as fine poet. A well-traveled scholar, Auden visited China, Iceland and Spain during the first half of his life and these travels often directly influenced his poetic works. He eventually settled in the United States, becoming an American citizen. Beyond his work as poet, Auden was a well-respected scholar of Protestant theology, a noted librettist, playwright, and essayist. He became a Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets and held the position until his death. Widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential English poets of the 20th century, Auden died in 1973 in Vienna, Austria.