Richard Aldington

Richard Aldington was an influential English writer and poet, born as Edward Godfree Aldington on July 8, 1892, in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. He is best known for his contributions to the Imagist movement, a literary style that advocated for clarity of expression through precise visual images. Aldington's early work was marked by a stark simplicity and intensity, capturing the essence of modern life.

He attended Dover College and the University of London but did not complete a degree due to the outbreak of World War I, which significantly impacted his life and work. Aldington served in the British Army from 1916 to 1919, an experience that profoundly influenced his poetry and prose. His war-time experiences were later vividly depicted in his novel "Death of a Hero" (1929), widely regarded as one of the greatest works of anti-war literature.

Aldington's works extended beyond poetry and novels; he was also a critic, translator, and biographer, producing respected biographies of figures such as D.H. Lawrence and T.E. Lawrence. Despite personal and professional struggles, including a tumultuous marriage to fellow poet Hilda Doolittle (H.D.), Aldington remained a significant literary figure until his death on July 27, 1962, in Sury-en-Vaux, France. His legacy endures through his influential contributions to 20th-century literature.