C. S. Calverley
Charles Stuart Calverley (1831-1884) was a distinguished English poet renowned for his light verse, parodic works, and translations, particularly from classical languages. Born in Martley, Worcestershire, Calverley exhibited exceptional talent in classical studies early on, leading to academic success at both Oxford and Cambridge, where he uniquely won the Chancellor's Prize for Latin verse at both institutions. His literary career began in earnest with the publication of *Verses and Translations* in 1862, showcasing his wit and skill in both original poetry and adaptations.
Calverley's parodies have been lauded for their subtlety and dexterity, making him a standout figure among Victorian parodists. He faced personal challenges following a serious skating accident in 1866, which left him with lasting health issues, yet he continued to produce noteworthy works, including *Theocritus Translated into English Verse* and *Fly Leaves*. Despite his declining health, Calverley's literary contributions remained significant until his death from Bright's disease in 1884. His legacy endures through collections of his works, including the posthumously published *Literary Remains* and *Complete Works*, further solidifying his place in English literature.
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Subject Terms
C. S. Calverley
Poet
- Born: December 22, 1831
- Birthplace: Martley, Worcestershire, England
- Died: February 17, 1884
- Place of death: Folkestone, England
Biography
Charles Stuart Calverley was an English poet noted for his light verse, the excellence of his parodies, and the skill and reliability in his translations, particularly those of classical languages. Although there were many parodists in the Victorian era, Calverley has been called “the most subtle and dexterous of these,” capable of reproducing not only phrasing and metrical effects but “even manneristic turns of thought.” He often published his verse under his initials, C. S. C.
Calverley was born on December 22, 1831, in Martley, Worcestershire, England, to the Reverend Henry Blayds (the original family name of Calverley, dropped in 1807, was readopted in 1852). Educated by private tutors, Calverley spent three months at Marlborough and then entered Harrow School on September 9, 1846. As a student, he was considered gifted but lazy, astonishing his teachers by his aptitude for classical languages, especially Latin; he also excelled athletically. After four years, he entered Balliol College, Oxford, in 1850. The following year, Calverley won the Chancellor’s Prize for Latin verse with a poem that was little more than an afternoon’s improvisation. Forced to avoid the consequences of a youthful prank, Calverley left Oxford in 1852 and entered Christ’s College, Cambridge, where he again won the Chancellor’s Prize in Latin verse, becoming the only undergraduate to win the award at both Oxford and Cambridge. At Christ’s College, he received numerous other awards and honors and remained there as a tutor after graduation. In 1858, he was awarded a fellowship at the college.
Calverley’s book, Verses and Translations , was published in 1862. He married his first cousin, Ellen Calverley, in 1865, giving up his fellowship and taking up the study of law; he was admitted to the bar in the same year. His Translations into English and Latin appeared in 1866. Calverley had an outstanding future ahead of him, but he suffered a serious fall while skating in the winter of 1866, resulting in concussion of the brain. Untreated, Calverley was eventually forced into retirement, becoming virtually an invalid; he continued to decline physically until his death from Bright’s disease on February 17, 1884, at Folkestone, England.
Even in his decline, Calverley published excellent translations, parodies, and light verse, such as Theocritus Translated into English Verse (1869) and Fly Leaves (1872). His Literary Remains was published posthumously in 1885. Calverley’s parodies of other poets remain benchmarks of their type. A collection, Complete Works, appeared in 1901.