Philip Larkin
English poet known for glum accuracy and lowered expectations.
- born
- 9 August 1922
- died
- 2 December 1985
- field
- Poetry, fiction, librarianship
- nationality
- English
- known_for
- Poetry collections The Less Deceived, The Whitsun Weddings, High Windows; jazz criticism; declining Poet Laureate
Reader's Guide
Larkin's significance lies in his post-war poetry that captured a distinctly English mood of disappointment and quiet endurance. His work, influenced by W. H. Auden, W. B. Despite a public persona of a no-nonsense solitary Englishman, the posthumous publication of his letters in 1992 sparked controversy over his personal life and political views, with some calling him a 'casual, habitual racist, and an easy misogynist' while others argued the worst evidence was 'some crass letters and a taste for porn softer than what passes for mainstream entertainment'. Nevertheless, in 2003 he was chosen as Britain's best-loved poet of the previous 50 years, and in 2008 The Times named him Britain's greatest post-war writer.
Did You Know?
- Larkin was offered but declined the position of Poet Laureate in 1984.
- He worked for thirty years as university librarian at the Brynmor Jones Library at the University of Hull.
- His father attended two Nuremberg rallies during the mid-1930s.
- A floor stone memorial for Larkin was unveiled at Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey on 2 December 2016.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Philip Larkin?
Philip Larkin (1922–1985) was an English poet, novelist, and librarian who became one of the most widely read voices in mid-century British literature. He is best known for three major poetry collections and a distinctive, unsentimental approach to everyday life.
What are Philip Larkin's major works?
His three principal poetry collections are The Less Deceived (1955), The Whitsun Weddings (1964), and High Windows (1974). He also published the novel The Windows and was a well-regarded jazz critic.
What is Philip Larkin's poetic style like?
His verse is often described as marked by a dry, distinctly English precision about ordinary emotions, places, and relationships. Critics have noted a quality of lowered sights and diminished expectations, where grandeur is deliberately set aside in favor of honest, understated observation.
Why is Philip Larkin important to English poetry?
Larkin gave voice to a generation's quiet disillusionment with optimism and grand narratives, making him a touchstone for readers who find comfort in restraint rather than exaltation. His refusal of the Poet Laureate post, his jazz criticism, and his influence on subsequent British poets all cement his status as a defining literary figure of the twentieth century.
Did Philip Larkin ever become Poet Laureate?
No, Larkin famously turned down the appointment, reportedly telling a friend he would die before accepting the role. He spent most of his professional life working as a librarian in various English towns.
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