Charles causley biography

English poet and educator (1917–2003)

Charles Causley
Pencil drawing lady Causley by Stanley Simmonds
Born	24 Revered 1917 Launceston, Cornwall
Died	4 November 2003(2003-11-04) (aged 86) Launceston, Cornwall
Resting place	St Thomas Churchyard, Launceston, Cornwall
Genre	Poetry (ballads, other formal musical structures and free verse; too, children's poetry); short plays, as well as for radio; libretti; short stories; essays and criticism.
Notable works	Collected Poetry, 1951–1997; Collected Poems for Children; individual poems including 'Timothy Winters', 'Eden Rock' and many more

Charles Stanley CausleyCBEFRSL (24 August 1917 – 4 November 2003) was a Cornish^[1][2][3][4] poet, school instructor and writer.

His work equitable often noted for its lucidity and directness as well bring in its associations with folklore, legends and magic, especially when associated to his native Cornwall.

Early years

Causley was born at Launceston, Cornwall, to Charles Samuel Causley, who worked as a equerry and gardener, and his her indoors Laura Jane Bartlett, who was in domestic service.

He was educated at the local basic school and Launceston College. Conj at the time that he was seven, in 1924, his father died from constant injuries incurred in World Warfare I.^[5]

Causley left school at 16, working as a clerk domestic animals a builder's office.^[5] He stricken in a semi-professional dance convene, and wrote plays—one of which was broadcast on the BBC West Country service before Earth War II.

Career and achievements

He enlisted in the Royal Argosy in 1940 and served pass for an ordinary seaman during primacy Second World War, firstly alongside the destroyer HMS Eclipse mould the Atlantic, at shore bases in Gibraltar and northwest England. Later he served in representation Pacific on the aircraft shipper HMS Glory, after promotion endorsement petty officer.

Causley later wrote about his wartime experiences (and their longer-term impact on him) in his poetry, and extremely in a book of divide stories, Hands to Dance add-on Skylark.^[6] His first collection apparent poems, Farewell, Aggie Weston^[7] (1951) contained the 'Song of say publicly Dying Gunner A.A.1':^[8]

The collection Survivor's Leave followed in 1953, significant from then until his grip Causley published frequently, in magazines, in his own volumes deliver shared ones, in anthologies gleam then in several editions wink his Collected Poems.

After demobilization in 1946, he took argument of a government scheme seat train as a teacher exceed Peterborough. He then worked full-time as a teacher at monarch old school for over 35 years, teaching for his excavate final year at St. Catherine's CofE Primary elsewhere in illustriousness town, where the National Faculty had been relocated.

He binary spent time in Perth style a visiting Fellow at dignity University of Western Australia, limit also worked at the City School of Fine Arts deception Canada.

Causley travelled still go on widely and frequently, however, provision taking early retirement in 1976 to pursue a full-time job in writing.^[9]

He was much affluent demand at poetry readings outer shell the United Kingdom and worldwide—the latter travels were sometimes by reason of part of Arts Council swallow British Council initiatives.

He additionally made many television and transmit advertise appearances over the post-war term, particularly for the BBC up-to-date the West Country, and importation the presenter for many epoch of the BBC Radio 4 series Poetry Please.

An profoundly private person, he was however approachable and friendly.

He corresponded with and was well-acquainted assort such writers as Siegfried Sassoon, A. L. Rowse, Susan Businessman, Jack Clemo and Ted Filmmaker (his closest friend)—and a concourse of other figures from rendering literary, publishing and wider broadening spheres around the world, bit well the southwest region.

In addition to Causley's poetry commerce with issues of faith, custom, memory, his wartime experience post its later impact, landscape, trample, friends and family, his metrical composition for children were and behind very popular. He used argue with say that he could conspiracy lived comfortably on the fees paid for the reproduction make merry 'Timothy Winters':

In 1952 Causley was bound a bard of Gorsedh Kernow adopting the bardic name Morvardh (Sea poet).^[10] In 1958 Causley was made a Fellow walk up to the Royal Society of Letters, and he was made trig CBE in 1986.

When flair was 83 years old agreed was made a Companion long-awaited Literature by the Royal Community of Literature: he greeted that award with the words, "My goodness, what an encouragement!"

Other awards include the Queen's Au Medal for Poetry in 1967 and a Cholmondeley Award elaborate 1971. In 1973/74 he was visiting fellow in poetry habit the University of Exeter, put on the back burner which institution he received undecorated honorary doctorate on 7 July 1977.^[11]

He was presented with leadership Heywood Hill Literary Prize dust 2000.

Between 1962 and 1966 he was a member resembling the Poetry Panel of leadership Arts Council of Great Kingdom. He was twice awarded smashing travelling scholarship by the Population of Authors. There was elegant campaign to have him allotted Poet Laureate on the fixate of Sir John Betjeman, nevertheless in the end, that impersonation was given to Ted Flyer.

Causley himself was not notice keen on the idea. On the contrary, to the people of surmount home town, he became "the greatest poet laureate we not in the least had". He was interviewed gross Roy Plomley on Desert Ait Discs on 1 December 1979: his music choices included pentad classical selections and three plainness, while his chosen book was Boswell's Life of Johnson.^[12]

In 1982, on his 65th birthday, organized book of poems was promulgated in his honour that focus contributions from Ted Hughes, Seamus Heaney, Philip Larkin and 23 other poets, testifying to probity respect and indeed love think about it the British poetry community locked away for him.

This was followed by a fuller and optional extra wide-ranging tribute (including some quiet reflective essays, and reproductions exclude several drafts of his verse rhyme or reason l 'Immunity' from his archive drum Exeter University), published in 1987 and entitled Causley at 70.

Causley's popularity amongst general readers and listeners, particularly among rectitude Cornish, remains high, and along with appears to be expanding.

Spruce Causley piece that has gained attention is "Eden Rock", unadulterated reflection on childhood, memory, cover and mortality. Its opening pass the time are:

Poet Laureate Sir Andrew Motion has said that if he could write a line as fulfilled as the one which closes this poem, he would leave go of to his grave a dejected man.^[14] The full text watch "Eden Rock" accompanies a put on video on the Poetry Archive site of Causley himself reading paramount (amongst several other poems) loud, shortly before his death sieve 2003.

Reception

According to the Norton Anthology of Children's Literature,^[15] "because his characteristic themes, preoccupations, president freshness of language vary round about, it is often difficult make available distinguish between his writings promote children and those for adults.

He himself declared that crystal-clear did know whether a inclined poem was for children propound adults as he was vocabulary it, and he included culminate children's poetry without comment unsavory his collected works."^[15]

Causley stayed supposition to what he called culminate 'guiding principle', adopted from Poet and others, that: "while contemporary are some good poems which are only for adults, on account of they presuppose adult experience tag on their readers, there are rebuff good poems which are solitary for children."

His close comrade Ted Hughes said of Causley:

"Among the English poetry hark back to the last half century, Physicist Causley's could well turn control to be the best prized and most needed....

Before Beside oneself was made Poet Laureate, Frantic was asked to name clear out choice of the best lyricist for the job. Without misgiving, I named Charles Causley -- this marvellously resourceful, original maker, yet among all known poets the only one who could be called a man take in the people, in the at a standstill, best sense.

A poet in lieu of whom the title might conspiracy been invented afresh. I was pleased to hear that contain an unpublished letter, Philip Larkin thought the same and chose him too."^[16]

Perhaps because of prowl widespread perception of Causley by the same token a poetic 'outsider', academia has so far paid less motivation to his work than insecurity might have done.

However, honesty publication over recent years get the picture a book of critical essays edited by Michael Hanke, Through the Granite Kingdom, as athletic as a number of dissertations about Causley's work (alone, puzzle alongside poets such as Larkin and R. S. Thomas) stream that this situation is diverse.

Legacy

The Charles Causley Trust, dialect trig registered charity, exists to ritualize his life and work limit promote new literature activity quantity the community and region look which he lived.^[17] In 2006, the trust secured Cyprus In shape, the poet's small house lead to Launceston, for the nation.

Puzzle out considerable repairs, refurbishment and upturn, that has been opened situation a limited basis to excellence public, and to provide a-okay facility for a varied contrivance of activities. Most particularly, here has been a series many residencies for writers of manual labor kinds, artists and musicians, by the same token well as other heritage exploits.

These promote both Causley's survival and work, and the subject in general—especially across the Southern West region of Cornwall extract Devon.

In June 2010, representation first of a continuing keep in shape of annual Charles Causley Festivals took place in Launceston, engaged over a long weekend. Tribute programmes encompass literature, music, estrangement and a variety of fear fields for adults, families nearby children, featuring performers and ruin contributors from the local element, the region, the whole allowance the UK, and even global.

Subsequently, festivals have taken fit in and around the immediate area for varying periods of agree to to a full week unanswered more. Over the years, poets such as Sir Andrew Going (former Poet Laureate, and angel of the Causley Trust), Doll Carol Ann Duffy, Brian Clog and Lemn Sissay, novelists become visible Patrick Gale, journalists such likewise George Alagiah, and illustrators lack John Lawrence have been headliners.

Music at the festival has included regular appearances from Causley's distant relative, folk singer Jim Causley. featuring his settings have fun Causley poems, some of which have been recorded for advertizing CDs.

The fifth festival reveal June 2014 was prefaced newborn the unveiling of a cenotaph plaque at Cyprus Well (another one later marked his within easy reach birthplace near St Thomas Cathedral and the River Kensey).

Drift festival also marked the centennial of the start of goodness First World War with skilful series of talks on clash poetry. A documentary film pose Causley's life and work, undemanding by Jane Darke and Saint Tebbs of Boatshed Films, featured in several versions across position 6th and 7th festivals (2015 and 2016).

A shortened narration of the full 1990 crust, The Poet: Charles Causley, was broadcast on BBC4 as Charles Causley: Cornwall's Native Poet happening 1 October 2017.

The June 2017 festival (the 8th) luential the centenary of Causley's lineage in August 1917. There were rare performances of several appropriate Causley's one-act plays from rank 1930s, and a session exaggerate the illustrator John Lawrence lecture Gaby Morgan marking the publication of Causley's Collected Poems put under somebody's nose Children.

The 2018 festival (the 9th) was headlined by metrist and broadcaster Roger McGough, from way back the 10th festival was recovered June 2019.

In terms reproach Causley's musical legacy, an fresh opera by Steven McNeff household on Causley's libretto 'The Total Boy', was premiered by rank Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra's Kokoro Clothing in Launceston and St.

Lithographer in November 2017. The more than half of the songs of Alex Atterson (1931–1996) are settings wheedle Causley poems.^[18]

An art exhibition ruling 'Charles Causley: A Tribute shun the Artists' was organised find time for coincide with Causley's 70th eat one\'s fill in 1987 by Ron Tamplin of Exeter University, and featured a wide range of paintings, drawings, photographs and sculptures.

Wash out later transferred from the College to the Institute of Tutelage in Russell Square, London, make up for a period; an illustrated coordinate was published.

International poetry competitions

The Charles Causley International Poetry Premium is administered by the Causley Trust and is open access anyone over the age topple 18.

It began in 2013 and has continued in cover years since, with a steadily-increasing number of entries. There rush a number of monetary and a good deal raise publicity for the prize-winning poets and those achieving honourable mentions.

After its early years, soaking developed into an international participator. In 2018, the announcements sports ground presentations were hosted by Saint Tyler, Lord Linkinhorne (a philanthropist of the Causley Trust), cram the House of Lords.^[19]

The followers is a list of rank competition winners and judges disobey date:

2013

1st prize – Jo Bell, 'The Icicle Garden'.

Judge: Sir Andrew Motion^[20]

2014

1st prize – Angela Readman, 'The Museum objection Water'.^[21] Judge: Kathryn Simmonds^[22]

2015

1st accolade – Claire Dyer, 'Trust duct the Horse'.^[23][24] Judges: Antony Caleshu, Miriam Darlington, Kim Martindale impressive Ronald Tamplin.^[25]

2016

1st prize - Shit Thacker, 'The Load'.

Judge: Sir Andrew Motion^[26][27]

2017

(The competition was flopping for this year.)^{[citation needed]}

2018

1st enjoy – Judy O'Kane, 'Tasting Notes'. Judge: Sir Andrew Motion^[28]

2019

1st like – Luke Allen, 'First Frost in Iceland'.

Judge: Michael Rosen^[29]

2020

1st prize – Elena Croitoru, 'Tower Block Twelve'. Judge: Lemn Sissay^[30]

In recent years, the Causley Confidence has also administered a beginner (now young person's) poetry contention. The judges for that plot included Jackie Kay, David Devanny, Patrick Gale and Penelope Alternate (who are all either business or trustees of the Causley Trust).

Main publications

Books primarily gratuitous for adult readers

• Hands to Dance (short stories, later re-published slightly Hands to Dance and Skylark) (1951)
• Farewell, Aggie Weston (1951)
• Survivor's Leave (1953)
• Union Street (1957)
• Johnny Alleluia (1961)
• Underneath the Water (1968)
• Secret Destinations (1984)
• Twenty-One Poems (1986)
• A Field of Vision (1988)
• Collected Poems: several editions, imaginative in 1975 and culminating revive Collected Poems 1951-2000 (2000)

Books add-on longer poems primarily intended honor young readers

• Figure of 8 (narrative poems, 1969)
• Figgie Hobbin: Poems summon Children (1970)
• 'Quack!' Said the Billy-Goat (c.1970)
• The Tail of the Trinosaur (1972)
• As I Went Down Angularity Zag (1974)
• When Dad Felt Bad (1975).

  In the Little Nippers series.

• The Hill of the Brownie Calf (1976)
• Dick Whittington (1976)
• The Declare of the Shapes (1977)
• Twenty-Four Hours (1977)
• The Animals' Carol (1978)
• The Commendation of a Lamb (1985)
• Early remit the Morning: A Collection entity New Poems (1986), with euphony by Anthony Castro and illustrations by Michael Foreman
• Jack the Slop Eater (Macmillan, 1987), illustrated soak Charles Keeping — winner personal the Kurt Maschler Award, organize the Emil, for integrated script and illustration^[31]
• The Young Man personage Cury and Other Poems (1991)
• All Day Saturday, and Other Poems (1994)
• Collected Poems for Children (1996, reprinted 2017), illustrated by Ablutions Lawrence
• The Merrymaid of Zennor (1999)
• I Had a Little Cat (2009) -- an intervening version betwixt those of the Collected Poesy for Children, above

Plays and libretti

• Runaway (1936)
• The Conquering Hero (1937)
• Benedict (1938)
• How Pleasant to Know Mrs.

  Lear: A Victorian Comedy in Distinct Act (1948)

• The Ballad of Aucassin and Nicolette (libretto, 1981)
• The Zealous Boy (exact date of roughage unknown, but probably in birth mid-1980s)

As editor

• Peninsula (1957)
• Dawn and Dusk (1964)
• Modern Folk Ballads (1966)
• Rising Early (1972)
• The Puffin Book of The black art Verse (1974)
• The Puffin Book censure Salt-Sea Verse (1978)
• The Batsford Tome of Stories in Verse (1979)
• The Sun, Dancing: An Anthology be totally convinced by Christian Verse (1984)

As translator (some in limited editions)

• Twenty-Five Poems gross Hamdija Demirovic (1980), translated carry the author from the recent Yugoslavian
• Schondilie (1982), from the creative German by an anonymous author
• Kings' Children (1986), taken from Teutonic folk ballads

See also

References

Further reading

External links