
Richard Aldington, originally named Edward Godfree Aldington, was an influential English writer and poet known for his significant contributions to the Imagist movement. His literary career spanned over five decades, during which he produced an impressive body of work that included poetry, fiction, literary criticism, and biographies, totaling 143 titles. Aldington was not only a prolific writer but also an active literary critic, having reviewed more than 1,350 books and penned hundreds of articles. His editorial work for The Egoist and contributions to prominent publications such as The Times Literary Supplement and Vogue further established his presence in the literary world. Aldington's biography of the Duke of Wellington, published in 1946, garnered the James Tait Black Memorial Prize, showcasing his ability to blend historical narrative with engaging prose. His marriage to fellow poet Hilda Doolittle, known as H.D., from 1913 to 1938, positioned him at the center of a vibrant literary circle that included notable figures like T. S. Eliot and Ezra Pound. Aldington's advocacy for H.D. helped elevate her status as a leading voice in Imagism, cementing his legacy as a key figure in early 20th-century literature and a champion of modernist poetry.
“Adventure is allowing the unexpected to happen to you. Exploration is experiencing what you have not experienced before. How can there be any adventure, any exploration, if you let somebody else - above all, a travel bureau - arrange everything before-hand?”
“We pass and leave you lying. No need for rhetoric, for funeral music, for melancholy bugle-calls. No need for tears now, no need for regret. We took our risk with you; you died and we live. We take your noble gift, salute for the last time those lines of pitiable crosses, those solitary mounds, those unknown graves, and turn to live our lives out as we may. Which of us were fortunate--who can tell? For you there is silence and cold twilight drooping in awful desolation over those motionless lands. For us sunlight and the sound of women's voices, song and hope and laughter, despair, gaiety, love--life. Lost terrible silent comrades, we, who might have died, salute you.”
“All nations teach their children to be "patriotic", and abuse the other nations for fostering nationalism." ("Sacrifice Post")”
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