Richard Aldington was born on July 8, 1892 in Hampshire, England. He grew up in a working-class family, which struggled with poverty during his childhood. Despite the financial difficulties, Aldington showed a talent for writing at a young age.
After completing his primary education, Aldington attended the University of London. However, due to his family's financial constraints, he was forced to drop out before completing his degree. This setback did not deter Aldington from pursuing his passion for literature.
During World War I, Aldington served in the military and was wounded in combat. The traumatic experiences he faced during the war had a profound impact on his mental health, which haunted him for the rest of his life. Despite these challenges, Aldington continued to write and publish his works.
In 1913, Aldington married fellow poet Hilda Doolittle. Their marriage lasted until 1938, and they had a tumultuous relationship marked by both literary collaboration and personal conflict. After his divorce from Doolittle, Aldington later married Netta McCullough.
Aldington is best known for his novel Death of a Hero, which explores the disillusionment and trauma of the World War I generation. He was also a prominent Imagist poet, known for his concise and evocative style. In addition to his creative writing, Aldington wrote biographies and critical works, including the controversial Laurence of Arabia: A Biographical Inquiry.
Aldington had a complex and often tumultuous relationship with his literary contemporary, T.S. Eliot. While they were friends at times, their friendship was also marked by professional rivalry and personal conflict. Despite their differences, Aldington played a role in promoting Eliot's career while also harboring feelings of jealousy and resentment.
Richard Aldington passed away on July 27, 1962, leaving behind a legacy of innovative and provocative writing that continues to be studied and admired by readers and scholars around the world.
Related links