To An Athlete Dying Young

Alfred Edward Housman, commonly known as A. E. Housman, was an author and an English classical poet who wrote a multitude of poems that truly made an impact on the world. Housman was born on March 26th, 1859 in a small house on the outskirts of Worcestershire, England, later dying at the age of 77 on April 30th. Housman began his academic journey at a small school, later proceeding to attend St. Johns College in Oxford. At an early age, Housman’s academic power was prevalent, winning multiple awards for his poetry before going to college, and creating a multitude of great, influential poems. Before this success, Housman went through tough times at St. Johns, related to the end of his hopeful relationship with his roommate Moses Jackson. Most people don’t know that Alfred Edward Housman was in
This compilation reveals emotion and vulnerability otherwise previously unknown within Housman, which grabbed the attention of many of his students and colleagues. Originally, the compilation was rejected by publishers, but being the determined individual he was, Housman published his work in 1896. Furthermore, To an Athlete Dying Young, is one of Housman’s most famous poems, and is a part of the 63 poems included in A Shropshire Lad. To an Athlete Dying young is a poem which informs the reader of the tragic death of a young, aspiring athlete. With its main theme being the sorrow of a great athlete dying early in their career, this poem seems to be written in order to express the speakers own sadness for a tragic end in their athletic endeavors earlier in life. This theme may also be related to a common subject found in a multitude of his other poems; preoccupation with death. Simply put, you never know what is going to happen in life, or how, so make the most out of it while you