About the Book

This early work by William Ernest Henley was originally published in 1893 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introductory biography. A Book of Verses is an anthology of Henley's beautiful and moving poetry that includes the In Hospital collection, the Life and Death collection, and other ballades and sonnets.

Author Biography

William Ernest Henley was born on 23rd August 1849, in Gloucester, England. In 1867, Henley passed the Oxford Local Schools Examination and set off to London to establish himself as a journalist. Unfortunately, his career was frequently interrupted by long stays in hospital due to a diseased right foot which he refused to have amputated.

During a three year stay at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Henley wrote and published his collection of poetry In Hospital (1875). This publication is noteworthy in particular for being some of the earliest examples of free verse written in England.

Henley's best-remembered work is his poem Invictus, written in 1888. It is a passionate and defiant poem, reportedly written as a demonstration of resilience following the amputation of his leg.