Alfred Noyes was born on September 16, 1880, in England. He was a British poet, author, and professor, best known for his ballad poem, "The Highwayman." Growing up, Noyes showed a keen interest in literature and writing, which would later become the focus of his career.
Noyes attended Exeter College, Oxford, where he studied literature. However, he did not receive his degree from the university. This was because his final examinations coincided with a meeting he had scheduled with the publisher of his first poetry collection, The Loom of Years.
In 1907, Noyes married Garnett Daniels, the American daughter of a Civil War soldier. After Garnett's passing, Noyes went on to marry Mary Angela Mayne. Together, they had three children.
Despite his poor eyesight, Noyes served his country during World War I by contributing to war-time propaganda efforts and writing poems with patriotic themes. His work as a poet gained him recognition and praise, with "The Highwayman" becoming one of his most popular works. In addition to this ballad, Noyes wrote other well-known pieces, such as "The Barrel-Organ" and The Torch-Bearers.
After the war, Noyes worked as a professor at Princeton University. During his time there, he taught and mentored aspiring writers, including the renowned novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Alfred Noyes is remembered as a talented poet whose works continue to be studied and admired by readers around the world. His contributions to literature, particularly in the form of narrative poetry, have solidified his place in literary history.