Robert Graves

Robert Graves (1895-1985) was an English poet, novelist, critic and scholar who also served as a junior officer in World War I. He was often considered a controversial free thinker, with a passion for poetry. While maintaining his reputation as a social and artistic rebel, Graves was awarded the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry in 1968.

Robert Graves' life

Let's take a look at Robert Graves's life and death, poetry, and books.

Before the War

Robert Graves was born on the 24th July 1895 in Wimbledon, Surrey (England) to parents Alfred and Amalie (also known as Amy). He attended public boarding school Charterhouse School, and subsequently was granted a scholarship at St John's College, a constituent of Oxford University.

War begins

Robert Graves did not attend St John's College however, instead enlisting in World War I in 1914. It was in 1915 that he met fellow soldier and poet Siegfried Sassoon on the Western Front. Over the years, the two became close friends.

Returning home

In 1916, during the Battle of the Somme, Graves was severely wounded and as a result, and reported dead to his family and friends. However, he was alive and had been sent to Queen Alexandra's Hospital in London (England) to recuperate.

Back on the front lines

In 1917, Graves defended Siegfried Sassoon who was to be tried by a court-martial for being a conscientious objector. Sassoon faced execution, but Graves intervened and explained that Sassoon was experiencing shell-shock. Graves returned to duty in 1917, but suffered from shell-shock himself as a result of his experiences in the War.

Later life

In 1918, Robert Graves married feminist and artist Nancy Nicholson, with whom he had four children. American poet Laura Riding moved in with him and Nancy Nicholson, and Graves soon developed feelings for Riding. In 1929, Laura Riding attempted to commit suicide, and Graves subsequently left Nancy Nicholson to continue living with Riding in Majorca. Graves later remarried Beryl Hodge in 1950, with whom he had another four children. The pair settled and lived the rest of their days in Majorca.

Purpose

Robert Graves was a prolific writer and poet, with a reputation for being a social and artistic rebel. He was often described as a controversial free thinker, who wrote a variety of texts, ranging from scholarly to mythological and historical fiction, to a candid recollection of his own personal life experiences. Many of the poems he wrote both during and after his time in World War I sought to challenge unthinkingly patriotic and ignorant narratives about the War, and to highlight the true, gruesome realities that soldiers had to face.

Cause of death

Robert Graves died on the 7th December 1985 in Majorca, Spain. He is buried in the churchyard of Deia Church, in Majorca, Spain.

Robert Graves Poems

Graves wrote poetry as well as novels.

'A Dead Boche'

In 'A Dead Boche', Robert Graves depicts the stark realities of war, describing a dead 'boche', in other words, a dead German. He creates a shocking and repugnant image in the reader's mind of this dead German soldier, who in his death has been left slumped against a tree. A clear anti-war poem, Graves describes then horrors of war in this poem, and reminds the reader to appreciate his war poetry not as tales of heroism and fame, but as tales of horror and revulsion. Not only this, but 'A Dead Boche' serves as an admonition that war produces nothing but degeneration and decay.

'Two Fusiliers'

In 'Two Fusiliers', Robert Graves expresses how it felt to have survived and to have reached the end of World War I. He also shows his appreciation for the friendships he forged during this time, and reveals that their experiences as soldiers bound them closely together. In 'Two Fusiliers', he highlights the fact that it was these terrible circumstances of war, and the death that the soldiers were surrounded by that granted them this beautiful and long-lasting friendship.

Robert Graves Books

What about his books?

Goodbye to All That

Published in 1929, Robert Graves's memoir Goodbye to All That details his life, including his childhood, his perspective on British society, his time in World War I, and finally his relationships and marriage. Goodbye to All That is his farewell to England and to his past, in which he recalls many unhappy memories; for example, being bullied at school, the horrors he experienced in World War I, and his marriage to Nancy Nicholson, which was less than happy. However, it also contains pleasant memories, including the close friendships he forged whilst serving in the War.

I Claudius

Robert Graves published his historical fiction novel I Claudius in 1934, which explores 1st century Rome. The narrative is written as Claudius' biography, in which Graves explores the decadence and debauchery of the Roman empire. This tale gives readers a unique insight into the madness, violence, and gore of Roman society.

The Greek Myths

Published in 1955, Robert Graves's The Greek Myths provides a comprehensive overview of Greek mythology, including heroes, gods, and an array of other characters. Graves retells and also provides commentary on the classic Greek myths, while also providing detail on the different variations of the myths and their characters, which makes his novel an extraordinary tale for readers, and also a good reference point for scholars who are researching or writing on the topic.

1. Robert Graves, Goodbye to All That, 2000

2. Robert Graves, I Claudius, 1934

3. Robert Graves, The Greek Myths, 2017