Stephen Spender Quotes

A collection of quotes by Stephen Spender.

Stephen Spender (1909-1995) was a renowned English poet, translator, and critic. He was born on February 28, 1909, in London, England. Spender studied at University College, Oxford, where he became friends with several influential writers and intellectuals, including W.H. Auden and Christopher Isherwood, forming the core members of the group known as the "Auden Generation" or the "1930s poets".

Spender's early poetry, which was greatly influenced by the surrealism movement, demonstrated a keen sensitivity towards social and political issues. His first volume of poetry, "Twenty Poems," was published in 1930 and received critical acclaim. Throughout his career, he continued to explore themes of love, political unrest, and the human condition.

During the Spanish Civil War, Spender famously traveled to Spain as a result of his fervent support for the Republican cause. This experience inspired one of his most acclaimed works, "The Still Centre" (1939), which provided a poignant account of the conflict's impact on individuals and society.

In addition to his poetry, Spender was an esteemed critic and essayist. He published several collections of critical essays, which testify to his wide-ranging intellectual interests and engagement with contemporary literary and artistic trends.

Stephen Spender's contributions to English literature were widely recognized, and he was honored with numerous awards and honors, including being appointed a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in 1962 and being named Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress (USA) in 1965. His eloquent poetry and thought-provoking writings continue to captivate readers, even today.