T.S. Eliot (1888–1965) was a major modernist poet, essayist, and critic, considered one of the most influential literary figures of the 20th century. His work is known for its complexity, exploration of modern consciousness, and a deep engagement with literary traditions. Here is an overview of T.S. Eliot's life and contributions:
Early Life:
- Birth and Education: Thomas Stearns Eliot was born on September 26, 1888, in St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
- Harvard University: He attended Harvard University, where he studied philosophy and became acquainted with literary modernism.
Move to England:
- Oxford University: Eliot moved to England in 1914 to study at Merton College, Oxford. He completed his doctoral dissertation on philosopher F.H. Bradley.
- Literary Circle: In England, he became associated with the literary avant-garde, including Ezra Pound.
Key Works:
- "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" (1915): His early poem, marked by its introspective and fragmented narrative style.
- "The Waste Land" (1922): A groundbreaking modernist poem that reflects the disillusionment and fragmentation of post-World War I society.
- "The Hollow Men" (1925): A meditation on the spiritual emptiness of the modern world.
- "Ash Wednesday" (1930): A more reflective and spiritually oriented work.
- "Four Quartets" (1943): Considered his magnum opus, a series of interconnected poems exploring time, spirituality, and the human condition.
Literary Criticism:
- Essays: Eliot was a prolific essayist and literary critic, known for works like "The Sacred Wood" (1920) and "Tradition and the Individual Talent" (1919).
- Editor: He served as an editor at Faber and Faber, where he played a key role in publishing other major modernist poets.
Personal Life:
- Marriage: Eliot married Vivienne Haigh-Wood in 1915, but their marriage was troubled and eventually ended in divorce.
- Conversion to Anglicanism: He converted to Anglicanism in 1927 and became a British citizen in 1927.
Later Years and Legacy:
- Nobel Prize: T.S. Eliot was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1948.
- Lecturer: He lectured at various universities, including Harvard and the University of Chicago.
- Death: T.S. Eliot passed away on January 4, 1965, in London, England.
T.S. Eliot's work significantly influenced the trajectory of modernist literature, and his contributions to poetry, criticism, and drama have left an enduring mark on the literary landscape.
