Lascelles Abercrombie, born in 1881, stands as a significant yet somewhat enigmatic figure in 19th-century British poetry. While he is often overshadowed by more prominent poets of his time, such as T.S. Eliot, W.B. Yeats, and Robert Frost, Abercrombie’s contribution to British poetry cannot be overlooked. His work, though occasionally dismissed by critics, offers a distinct voice and style that reflects the complexities of the 19th-century British literary landscape. This article seeks to explore Abercrombie’s life, work, and influence on British poetry, situating him within the broader context of his contemporaries.
Early Life and Education
Born in Ashton upon Mersey, Cheshire, in 1881, Lascelles Abercrombie came from a family of some affluence. He attended Oxford University, where he studied under the mentorship of the renowned scholar and poet, Sir Walter Raleigh. Abercrombie’s early exposure to literature and the academic environment of Oxford played a crucial role in shaping his poetic sensibilities. The turn of the century was a time of great intellectual and social upheaval, and Abercrombie’s early experiences mirrored these cultural shifts.
In his formative years, Abercrombie was influenced by various literary movements. His education at Oxford immersed him in the modernist currents that would later influence his poetry, but his early work was more closely aligned with the Georgian poets, a group that sought to return to the simplicity and traditionalism of 18th-century British poetry. However, his later work evolved to embrace the modernist experimentation that became so characteristic of 20th-century British poetry.
The Georgian Poets and Abercrombie’s Early Work
The Georgian poets, who were active between the 1910s and the 1920s, played a pivotal role in the development of British poetry. In terms of both style and themes, Abercrombie was closely aligned with this group of poets, although he was not one of their more famous members. The Georgian poets were known for their emphasis on naturalism, simplicity, and the portrayal of rural life. They wrote with clarity and often focused on the pastoral landscapes and emotions associated with British life. Abercrombie’s early work, particularly in collections like Interludes (1914), fits neatly into this mold.
Abercrombie’s poetry from this period reflects the Georgian poets’ desire to return to a more straightforward, naturalistic form of poetry. He often dealt with themes such as nature, love, and human struggle in ways that were accessible to a broad audience. His technical skill, combined with his sensitivity to the natural world, made his poetry relatable to those who were searching for emotional depth and beauty in a rapidly changing world.
However, even in these early works, there is a certain intellectual rigor and formal complexity that distinguishes Abercrombie from his contemporaries. His use of meter, rhyme, and form exhibits a greater attention to technical detail than many of the Georgian poets. This technical skill would later become one of his defining features as he developed a more complex and introspective style.
The Influence of World War I on Abercrombie’s Poetry
The outbreak of World War I had a profound impact on British poetry, and Abercrombie was no exception. The war affected not only the lives of those who fought in it but also the artistic sensibilities of the time. The brutal realities of the war shattered the idealistic images of life and love that were so prevalent in Victorian and early 20th-century poetry. For many poets, the war became a catalyst for innovation and a reevaluation of poetic form and content.
While many poets of the time, such as Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon, directly engaged with the horrors of war in their poetry, Abercrombie took a different approach. His experience of the war, like that of many others, led to a more introspective and philosophical approach to poetry. He was not a soldier in the traditional sense, but his poetry nevertheless reflects a deep engagement with the emotional and psychological effects of war.
In his war-related works, Abercrombie’s style becomes darker and more somber, a response to the loss and disillusionment felt by many during the war. His poems often grapple with the themes of death, suffering, and the search for meaning in a world turned upside down by violence. This shift in his work marked a move away from the idyllic landscapes of his earlier Georgian poetry towards a more modernist, disillusioned perspective on human existence.
Abercrombie’s Relationship with Modernism
While Abercrombie’s early works were rooted in the Georgian tradition, he gradually developed a more modernist sensibility. Modernism, as a literary movement, was marked by a deliberate break with traditional forms and an embrace of experimentation. Poets such as T.S. Eliot, Ezra Pound, and W.B. Yeats were at the forefront of this movement, and their influence can be felt in Abercrombie’s later works.
Abercrombie’s turn towards modernism was not without its challenges. Modernism required poets to engage with new forms, explore fragmented narratives, and grapple with the complexities of the human psyche. Abercrombie’s work, such as in his later collection The Colossus (1922), reflects a much more fragmented approach to form and content, engaging with themes of alienation, disillusionment, and existential doubt.
At times, Abercrombie’s embrace of modernism appears to be a response to the inadequacies of Georgian poetry in addressing the profound dislocations of modern life. In his later work, he experimented with free verse, often forsaking traditional structures for the sake of emotional expression. This departure from traditional forms allowed him to explore deeper psychological and philosophical themes, using poetry as a vehicle for personal and collective reflection.
Lascelles Abercrombie in Comparison with His Contemporaries
While Lascelles Abercrombie’s work is often classified within the context of Georgian poetry, his later works show his connection to the modernist movement. To better understand Abercrombie’s place within the 19th-century British poetry scene, it is useful to compare his work with that of his contemporaries.
One of Abercrombie’s closest contemporaries was Wilfred Owen, a poet whose works were directly shaped by the horrors of World War I. While both poets were deeply affected by the war, Owen’s poetry is marked by its stark realism and graphic depictions of battle, whereas Abercrombie’s approach was more introspective and philosophical. While Owen sought to portray the brutal reality of war, Abercrombie’s war poems reflect a more profound contemplation of human suffering and the search for meaning in the aftermath of trauma.
In contrast to the disillusionment and despair that pervades Owen’s work, Abercrombie’s later poetry reflects a more nuanced understanding of human experience. His work avoids the simplistic idealism of his Georgian contemporaries but also shies away from the nihilism that characterizes much of modernist poetry. Instead, Abercrombie’s poems offer a balanced engagement with both the beauty and the brutality of life, making his work a unique fusion of the past and the future of British poetry.
Legacy and Influence
Lascelles Abercrombie may not have achieved the same level of fame as some of his contemporaries, but his contribution to 19th-century British poetry is undeniable. His ability to adapt to the shifting tides of poetic fashion, from the Georgian simplicity of his early work to the more experimental forms of modernism, marks him as a significant poet in the broader narrative of British poetry.
His legacy lies not only in the specific themes he explored—such as nature, war, and human suffering—but also in the way he helped bridge the gap between two distinct literary traditions. In this sense, Abercrombie’s work can be seen as a microcosm of the evolution of British poetry in the early 20th century, reflecting both the continuities and disruptions of the poetic tradition.
Abercrombie’s poetry, though occasionally overshadowed by that of his more famous peers, remains a valuable part of the British poetic canon. His exploration of human experience—whether through the lens of nature, war, or existential reflection—continues to resonate with readers today.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Lascelles Abercrombie, a 19th-century British poet born in 1881, holds an important place in the development of British poetry. His early alignment with the Georgian poets and his later experimentation with modernism situate him as a pivotal figure in the evolution of British literary traditions. Through his exploration of themes such as love, nature, war, and human suffering, Abercrombie’s work provides a unique window into the complexities of the early 20th-century British poetic landscape.
Although he may not have achieved the same level of fame as some of his contemporaries, Abercrombie’s poetry continues to be studied and appreciated for its intellectual depth, emotional resonance, and stylistic innovation. His life and work offer a testament to the enduring power of poetry to reflect and shape the human experience.
