T.S. Eliot

Franklin Library T.S. Eliot books

Collected Poems 1909 to 1962 - 100 Greatest Books of All Time - 1976
Collected Poems 1909 to 1962 - 100 Greatest Masterpieces of American Literature - 1978
Collected Poems 1909 to 1962 - Greatest Books of the Twentieth Century - 1979

 

 

Who is T.S. Eliot?

Thomas Stearns Eliot, better known as T.S. Eliot, was a renowned American-born British poet, essayist, editor, and Nobel laureate in literature. He was born on September 26, 1888, in St. Louis, Missouri, and became one of the most influential figures in 20th-century poetry. Eliot grew up in a prominent and socially conservative family. He displayed early intellectual prowess and attended Harvard University, where he earned both undergraduate and master's degrees. After completing his studies, he ventured to Europe, particularly England, where he settled permanently in 1914. His decision to relocate marked a transformative period in his life, both personally and artistically.

In 1915, T.S. Eliot published The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, a groundbreaking poem that signaled a departure from traditional poetic forms. This work, with its modernist sensibilities and fragmented style, marked the beginning of Eliot's significant contribution to the Modernist movement in literature. His subsequent poem, The Waste Land (1922), stands as one of the most important and influential works of the 20th century, addressing the disillusionment and fragmentation of post-World War I society. Eliot's poetic style often incorporated allusions to classical literature, religious texts, and various languages. His erudition and intellectual depth were evident in his poetry, essays, and criticism. Alongside his poetry, Eliot played a crucial role in literary criticism, publishing notable essays such as Tradition and the Individual Talent (1919), where he discussed the role of tradition in shaping and influencing contemporary literature.

In addition to his literary pursuits, Eliot worked as an editor at Faber and Faber, a prominent London publishing house. His editorial contributions had a profound impact on the literary landscape, as he supported and published works by other influential modernist writers, including W.H. Auden, Ezra Pound, and James Joyce. In 1948, T.S. Eliot was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for his outstanding contributions to poetry. He continued to write and publish poetry throughout his life, with later works including Four Quartets (1943), a series of reflective and philosophical poems. T.S. Eliot's impact on literature is immeasurable. His innovative approach to poetry, intellectual rigor, and profound reflections on the human condition have secured his place as one of the most significant poets of the 20th century. He died on January 4, 1965, in London, leaving behind a lasting legacy that continues to influence poets and scholars to this day.

 

 

 

The collected poems of T.S. Eliot, 1909-1962 is a comprehensive anthology of the poems of one of the most significant poets of the modernist movement. T.S. Eliot's poetry has had a profound influence on modern literature, and this collection brings together his complete body of work, from his earliest poems to his later, more experimental works.

The collection includes some of Eliot's most famous poems, including "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock," "The Waste Land," and "Four Quartets." These poems are often cited as some of the most important works of modernist literature and are known for their complex structure, vivid imagery, and deeply philosophical themes.