Masefield, John

views updated May 11 2018

Masefield, John (1878–1967) English poet and novelist. Masefield's early seafaring experiences inform much of his work. His debut volume Salt-Water Ballads (1902) includes “Sea Fever”. He was Poet Laureate from 1930. Masefield is best-known for his long narrative poems, such as The Everlasting Mercy (1911) and Reynard the Fox (1919).