A. L. Rowse
A. L. Rowse: A Life of Scholarship and Passion
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Arthur Lionel Rowse was born on June 13, 1903, in Barry Dock, Wales, to Emily Annie (née Jones) and William George Rowse. He is commonly known as A.L. Rowse.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born: June 13, 1903
Died: July 28, 1997
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Rowse was a British scholar, poet, historian, and politician. His work spanned multiple disciplines, including literature, history, and politics.
Early Life and Background
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Growing up in Wales, Rowse's love for literature and poetry was fostered by his mother, who encouraged his interest in reading and writing from an early age. He attended the local grammar school before proceeding to Jesus College, Oxford, where he studied English Language and Literature. During his time at Oxford, Rowse developed a passion for Shakespeare and began writing his own poetry.
Major Accomplishments
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Rowse's academic career was marked by numerous achievements:
In 1927, he won the Newdigate Prize for Poetry with his poem "The Virgin in Winter".
He became a Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, where he spent most of his academic career.
Rowse served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for the Labour Party from 1946 to 1950 and again from 1955 to 1962.Notable Works or Actions
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Some of Rowse's notable works include:
The Poems (1929), his first collection of poetry.
The English Renaissance: 1500-1640 (1944), a comprehensive study on the period.
Shakespeare's Churches (1936), an analysis of the playwright's use of church architecture in his plays.
Rowse was also known for his involvement with various organizations, including:
The Labour Party
The Fabian Society
Impact and Legacy
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A.L. Rowse left a lasting impact on academia and literature:
His work on Shakespeare helped shape modern understanding of the playwright's life and works.
Rowse's poetry collections showcased his mastery of language and form.
As an MP, he contributed to Labour Party politics, advocating for social reform.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Rowse is remembered for:
His passion for learning and commitment to scholarship
His role in shaping modern understanding of Shakespeare's life and works
His contributions to Labour Party politics and social reform
His legacy as a scholar, poet, and politician continues to inspire new generations of thinkers and writers.
Quotes by A. L. Rowse
I would never wound a cat’s feelings, no matter how downright aggressive I might be to humans.
Bound as our lives are to the tyranny of time, it is through what we know of history that we are delivered from our bonds and escape – into time.
If there is any honor in all the world that I should like, it would be to be an honorary Jewish citizen.
I do not wish to die- There is such contingent beauty in life: The open window on summer mornings Looking out on gardens and green things growing, The shadowy cups of roses flowering to themselves- Images of time and eternity- Silence in the garden and felt along the walls.
I would never wound a cat's feelings, no matter how downright aggressive I might be to humans.
History is a great deal closer to poetry than is generally realised: in truth, I think, it is in essence the same.
A little group of thatched cottages in the middle of the village had an orchard attached; and I remember well the peculiar purity of the blue sky seen through the white clusters of apple blossom in spring. I remember being moonstruck looking at it one morning early on my way to school. It meant something for me; what, I couldn't say. It gave me such an unease at heart, some reaching out towards perfection such as impels men into religion, some sense of the transcendence of things, of the fragility of our hold on life.
Bound as our lives are to the tyranny of time, it is through what we know of history that we are delivered from our bonds and escape - into time.