John Riley
John Riley was a British poet born on October 10, 1937, in Leeds, Yorkshire. He served in the Royal Air Force from 1956 to 1958, during which he began learning Russian. After completing his national service, he attended Pembroke College, Cambridge, graduating in 1961. Riley's literary career began in earnest in the 1960s when he co-founded Grossteste Press and Grossteste Review, through which most of his works were published. His first poetry collection, *Ancient and Modern*, was released in 1967, and he also translated the works of notable poets like Friedrich Hölderlin and Anna Akhmatova. A significant influence on his work was his conversion to the Russian Orthodox Church in 1977, which resonated in his poetry, particularly in his long poem *Czargrad*. Tragically, Riley's life was cut short when he was murdered in 1978 at the age of 41. Despite his early death, his contributions to the British Poetry Revival continue to be recognized, with posthumous publications of his works, including *Selected Poems* in 1995, ensuring his lasting influence in the literary world.
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John Riley
Poet
- Born: October 10, 1937
- Birthplace: Leeds, Yorkshire, England
- Died: October 27, 1978
Biography
John Riley was born on October 10, 1937, in Leeds, Yorkshire, England. He was in the British Royal Air Force (RAF) from 1956 to 1958, serving in Germany. During his time in the RAF, he began to learn Russian. Completing his national service, he began studying at Pembroke College, Cambridge. After graduating in 1961, he worked as a teacher and began to write serious poetry.
With his friend Tim Longville, Riley set up the Grossteste Press in 1966 and the Grossteste Review in 1968. Nearly all of his work was published by Grossteste, beginning with his first volume, Ancient and Modern, appearing in 1967. Riley also published several collaborative books with Longville, including Common Objects, 1962-1964, The Civil War, and A Legend of St. Anthony.
During the 1960’s, Riley also began translating the work of the German poet Friedrich Hölderlin and several Russian poets, most notably Anna Akhmatova and Osip Mandelstam. His work reflected a growing desire for spirituality. By 1970, Riley was successful enough to be able to retire from teaching. He spent some time in Cornwall before returning to his native Leeds, where he continued to write poetry and prose.
In 1973, he married and traveled to Turkey, an experience that deeply influenced his writing. The same year, he published Ways of Approaching. The volume is notable in that it contained the first part of his long poem, “Czargrad,” widely acknowledged as his best work. Czargrad is the Byzantine holy city, and his concern with this location speaks to his growing involvement in the Russian Orthodox Church. He was received into the Orthodox Church in 1977.
In 1978, on his way home from a pub, Riley was murdered. At just forty-one, Riley was still in his poetic prime; he would have had many fine years as a poet in front of him. As it was, his friend Longville edited a volume of critical essays, For John Riley in 1979 and brought out his Collected Works in 1981. This volume included the full version of “Czargrad” for the first time.
Critical interest in Riley’s work continues decades after his death. In 1995, Carcanet Press brought out Riley’s Selected Poems. Riley will be remembered as a key member of the British Poetry Revival of the 1960’s; his work, although cut short by his death, is an intensely concentrated and finely wrought achievement.