Robert Graves

Poetry

• Children of Darkness

Biography

Robert Graves was a poet, novelist, and mythologist whose career spanned much of the 20th century, leaving an indelible mark on both literature and scholarship. Born on July 24, 1895, in Wimbledon, England, he grew up in a family steeped in intellectual and literary pursuits. By the time Graves entered school, his love for words and sharp intellect were evident, though his rebellious streak often set him apart. His early life was deeply influenced by both the rigors of Victorian values and a burgeoning interest in classical mythology, themes that would later define his work.

Graves came of age during one of history’s most tumultuous periods: World War I. He served as an officer in the Royal Welch Fusiliers, and the horrors of trench warfare left an indelible mark on him. His wartime experiences inspired much of his early poetry, including his powerful and harrowing collection Fairies and Fusiliers (1917), which juxtaposed lyrical beauty with the stark realities of combat. Graves’s friendship with fellow soldier-poet Siegfried Sassoon was pivotal during this time, fostering a creative partnership that bolstered his resolve to write amidst the chaos.

After the war, Graves turned to academia and writing to rebuild his life, eventually moving to Majorca, Spain, where he spent much of his later years. There, he produced some of his most celebrated works, including Goodbye to All That (1929), a candid memoir of his wartime experiences, and I, Claudius (1934), a historical novel that cemented his reputation as a literary giant. Yet it was his poetry, characterized by its clarity, precision, and deep engagement with mythology, that Graves regarded as his truest calling. He was fascinated by the enduring power of myth, as reflected in works like The White Goddess (1948), an exploration of poetic inspiration and ancient symbolism.

Graves’s literary output was prolific, spanning over 140 works of poetry, fiction, and scholarship. His personal life, filled with tumultuous relationships and a restless quest for understanding, mirrored the complexity of his art. When he passed away in 1985 at the age of 90, he left behind a body of work that continues to inspire and challenge readers, scholars, and poets alike. For all his achievements, Graves remains a writer who defied categorization - a voice that straddled history, myth, and the timeless truths of human experience.