Wilfred Owen

Wilfred Owen

Wilfred Edward Salter Owen MC (18 March 1893 – 4 November 1918) was an English poet and soldier, one of the leading poets of the First World War. His shocking, realistic war poetry on the horrors of trenches and gas warfare was heavily influenced by his friend Siegfried Sassoon and stood in stark contrast to both the public perception of war at the time, and to the confidently patriotic verse written by earlier war poets such as Rupert Brooke. Among his best-known works – most of which were published posthumously – are "Dulce et Decorum Est", "Insensibility", "Anthem for Doomed Youth", "Futility" and "Strange Meeting".

Read more about Wilfred Owen:  Early Life, War Service, Poetry, Relationship With Sassoon, Death, Depictions in Popular Culture

Famous quotes by wilfred owen:

    The centuries will burn rich loads
    With which we groaned,
    Whose warmth shall lull their dreaming lids,
    While songs are crooned:
    But they will not dream of us poor lads,
    Left in the ground.
    Wilfred Owen (1893–1918)

    I thought of all that worked dark pits
    Of war, and died
    Digging the rock where Death reputes
    Peace lies indeed.
    Wilfred Owen (1893–1918)

    There was an artist silly for his face,
    For it was younger than his youth, last year.
    Wilfred Owen (1893–1918)

    —Thus their hands are plucking at each other;
    Picking at the rope-knouts of their scourging;
    Snatching after us who smote them, brother,
    Pawing us who dealt them war and madness.
    Wilfred Owen (1893–1918)

    What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
    Only the monstrous anger of the guns.
    Wilfred Owen (1893–1918)