Geoffrey Grigson
Geoffrey Grigson was an English poet, journalist, and broadcaster, born in 1905 in Pelynt, England. As the youngest son of a clergyman, he explored various career paths, including teaching and radio production, before finding his voice in poetry during the 1930s. He gained significant recognition as the editor of the poetry journal New Verse, where his forthright critiques earned him both acclaim and criticism, leading to a mixed reputation within literary circles. Grigson published over a dozen poetry collections, beginning with his first, Several Observations, in 1939, and he also made contributions to children's literature, aiming to foster a love for poetry, art, and nature.
His literary contributions extended to notable reviews for The New York Review of Books, showcasing his engagement with the wider literary community. Grigson experienced three marriages throughout his life, the last to food writer Jane Grigson, with whom he shared a daughter, Sophie, who also became a writer. He remained active in his writing endeavors until his passing in 1985, leaving behind a complex legacy within the literary world.
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Geoffrey Grigson
Writer
- Born: March 2, 1905
- Birthplace: Pelynt, Cornwall, England
- Died: November 28, 1985
Biography
Geoffrey Grigson was born in 1905 in Pelynt, England. He was the seventh son and youngest child of a local clergyman. After school, Grigson tried his hand at a number of different positions. He taught school and worked as a journalist, and he also had some experience with radio. He worked as a broadcaster and in radio production, and during World War II he monitored radio frequencies.
Grigson came to prominence in the literary world in the 1930’s as a poet. In 1933 he became the editor of a poetry journal called New Verse, and he gained notoriety for harshly criticizing things he disliked. This earned him a lot of enemies, and reluctance by some to respect and commend his work based on his reputation. Grigson also wrote numerous reviews for The New York Review of Books. Grigson published more than a dozen collections of poetry and edited many others. His first, Several Observations, was published in 1939. He also wrote books for children; with them, he hoped to spark interest and appreciation for poetry, the fine arts, and nature.
Grigson was married three times. His first marriage ended when his wife passed away of tuberculosis. The second marriage ended in divorce. Grigson’s third and final marriage was to Jane Grigson, accomplished food writer. Their daughter, Sophie, was also a successful writer. Grigson continued to work on his poetry and writing up until his death in 1985.