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T. S. Eliot (September 26, 1888-January 4, 1965)

Thomas Stearns Eliot, later known as TS Eliot, was born in America, but moved to the UK at the age of 25. He became a British citizen in 1927. His early education included Harvard University, where he completed his bachelor's degree in record time. He had a very classical education, studying French, German, Latin and Greek.

He wrote his first poem when he was only 14 years old. In 1910, he moved to Paris and studied for awhile at the Sorbonne. When World War I broke out, he changed his plans from studying in Germany to Oxford. His close friend, Ezra Pound, recognized his poetic genius and helped him get his work published. In 1915, he met and married Vivienne Haigh-Wood, a governess from Cambridge. Even though they weren't very happy together, they stayed together until 1932. He arranged for a formal separation a bit later. In 1938, Vivienne was placed in a mental hospital, remaining there until her death in 1947. In 1957, T. S. married Esme Valerie Fletcher, remaining with her until his death.

T. S. spent most of his life teaching and lecturing. He frequently went back to America for lecture series or to teach for a year at a time. He was able to mingle with the British intellectual elite, including William Butler Yeats, Wyndham Lewis and Herbert Asquith. He worked at Lloyd's Bank in London for a few years, then took an editorial position with Faber and Faber, which he held the rest of his life, eventually taking the job as director.

TS Eliot is considered by many to be one of the premiere poets of the 20th century. Even so, he produced very few poems in comparison to others. He wasn't afraid to be innovating with language and never allowed public sentiment compromise his work. His poetry evokes Robert Browning, yet combines it with symbolism. He took inspiration from Laforgue's alienation and mixed it with a moral earnestness that the other lacked.

His early work expressed a negative view of the world. As he progressed, his work showed a glimpse of a higher place to which he strived. Christianity had a big influence on his life and work, even though he was careful not to become a religious poet. He wrote two dramas in the 1930s, Murder in the Cathedral and The Family Reunion. Later, he published many essays that promote traditionalism that many feel tend to clash with his poetry.