W.B. Yeats

William Butler Yeats (1865-1939) was a prominent Irish poet, playwright, and a key figure in the Irish Literary Revival. Born in Dublin on June 13, 1865, Yeats spent much of his childhood in County Sligo, which greatly influenced his later works. He is renowned for his lyrical and evocative poetry that explores themes of Irish mythology, folklore, politics, and spirituality.

Yeats began his career as a member of the fin de siècle London literary scene, publishing his first poetry collection, "Crossways," in 1889. He co-founded the Irish Literary Theatre, which later became the Abbey Theatre, in 1899. Yeats served as its director and contributed several plays, including "Cathleen ni Houlihan" (1902) and "The Countess Cathleen" (1911).

As his career progressed, Yeats's poetry shifted from romanticism to modernism, reflecting his evolving artistic and political sensibilities. Key works in his oeuvre include "The Celtic Twilight" (1893), "The Wind Among the Reeds" (1899), "Responsibilities" (1914), "The Wild Swans at Coole" (1917), and "The Tower" (1928).

In 1923, Yeats was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for his "inspired poetry, which in a highly artistic form gives expression to the spirit of a whole nation." His later works, such as "A Vision" (1925), delved into mysticism and the occult, reflecting his lifelong fascination with esoteric subjects.

Yeats passed away on January 28, 1939, in France. Today, he remains one of the most celebrated poets in the English language, revered for his deep connection to Irish culture and his innovative contributions to modern poetry.