“I
must go down to the sea again, to the lonely sea and the sky; and all I ask is
a tall ship and a star to steer her by.” – John Masefield
Born on this date in 1878, English poet and writer John Masefield not only wrote the line that so many feel compelled to recite, but also “lived” on the sea, which compelled him to write it in the first place. Beginning at age 14, he was sent to the HMS Conway, both to train for a life at sea, and to break what his aunt (with whom he lived) called “an addiction to reading.” She thought he was wasting away his time with his nose buried in books and that time at sea would bring him back to reality. But, after several years aboard ship, Masefield found that he could spend even more time reading and writing, and his love for books and story telling grew. He listened to the stories told about the sea, continued to read, and ultimately became a great writer and storyteller himself.
Born on this date in 1878, English poet and writer John Masefield not only wrote the line that so many feel compelled to recite, but also “lived” on the sea, which compelled him to write it in the first place. Beginning at age 14, he was sent to the HMS Conway, both to train for a life at sea, and to break what his aunt (with whom he lived) called “an addiction to reading.” She thought he was wasting away his time with his nose buried in books and that time at sea would bring him back to reality. But, after several years aboard ship, Masefield found that he could spend even more time reading and writing, and his love for books and story telling grew. He listened to the stories told about the sea, continued to read, and ultimately became a great writer and storyteller himself.
He is best remembered as the author
of the classic children's novels The Midnight Folk and The Box of
Delights, and of course for his poems, including "The Everlasting
Mercy" and "Sea-Fever,” from which the line above originates.
After years of writing and teaching
writing, in 1930 he was the surprise selection for Poet Laureate of the United
Kingdom. Many felt that Rudyard Kipling
was a likely choice; but King George V appointed Masefield, who remained in
office until his death in 1967. The only person to hold the office longer was
Alfred, Lord Tennyson.
John Masefield 
On his appointment The Times
of London wrote: "... his poetry could touch to beauty the plain speech of
everyday life.” A renowned essayist and
descriptive writer, too, Masefield’s “way with words” was never more evident
than when asked to describe why he enjoyed university teaching. “There are few earthly things more beautiful
than a university,” he said. “It is a
place where those who hate ignorance may strive to know, and where those who
perceive truth may strive to make others see.”
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