Gerard Hopkins
Gerard Manley Hopkins
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Full Name and Common Aliases
Gerard Manley Hopkins was born as John Henry Newman's godson, Gerard Manley Hopkins S.J., and is commonly known by his initials, G.M.H.
Birth and Death Dates
Hopkins was born on July 28, 1844, in Essex, England. He passed away on June 8, 1889, at the age of 44.
Nationality and Profession(s)
English Catholic poet, Jesuit priest, and scholar are the titles that define Gerard Manley Hopkins' life.
Early Life and Background
Born to Manley and Mary Hopkins, a couple who were both devout Christians, Gerard's early life was marked by an innate sense of spirituality. He was educated at Highgate School in London before proceeding to Balliol College, Oxford, where he read philosophy and theology. While at Oxford, Hopkins formed close friendships with fellow students Dante Gabriel Rossetti and William Morris, which would later influence his artistic endeavors.
Major Accomplishments
Hopkins' life was marked by significant accomplishments:
As a young man, he converted to Catholicism from Anglicanism, which led him to join the Jesuit Order. This decision exemplified his unwavering commitment to faith and spirituality.
Hopkins is celebrated for his innovative and expressive poetry style, characterized by unconventional syntax and vivid imagery.
His poems often explored themes of nature, beauty, and the human condition, reflecting his deep connection with the world around him.Notable Works or Actions
Some of Gerard Manley Hopkins' most notable works include:
"The Wreck of the Deutschland," a poem that reflects on the tragedy of the shipwreck and its implications for humanity.
"The Windhover," a celebrated poem that explores themes of nature, beauty, and transcendence.Impact and Legacy
Gerard Manley Hopkins' impact extends far beyond his poetry:
His innovative style paved the way for modernist poets like T.S. Eliot and Ezra Pound.
As a Jesuit priest, he was devoted to prayer, contemplation, and service, inspiring others through his example.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Gerard Manley Hopkins is widely quoted and remembered due to:
His profound exploration of the human condition, which continues to resonate with readers today.
The innovative style he pioneered in poetry, influencing generations of writers.
His dedication to faith, spirituality, and service, inspiring others through his example.
Through his life and work, Gerard Manley Hopkins reminds us that creativity, faith, and compassion are interconnected.
Quotes by Gerard Hopkins
And my lament / Is cries countless, cries like dead letters sent / To dearest him that lives alas! away.
I caught this morning morning's minion, kingdom of daylight's dauphin, dapple-dawn-drawn Falcon.
This piece-bright paling shuts the spouse / Christ home, Christ and his mother and all his hallows.
That night, that year / Of now done darkness I wretch lay wrestling with (my God!) my God.
O if we but knew what we do when we delve or hew -- hack and rack the growing green! Since country is so tender to touch, her being so slender, that like this sleek and seeing ball but a prick will make no eye at all, where we, even where we mean to mend her we end her, when we hew or delve: after-comers cannot guess the beauty been.
O the mind, mind has mountains; cliffs of fall / Frightful, sheer, no-man-fathomed. Hold them cheap / May who ne'er hung there.
O then if in my lagging lines you miss / The roll, the rise, the carol, the creation.