Herbert Asquith (poet)

The Honourable

Herbert Asquith
1918 photograph of Asquith
1918 photograph of Asquith
Born(1881-03-11)11 March 1881
Hampstead, London, England[1]
Died5 August 1947(1947-08-05) (aged 66)
Bath, Somerset, England[2]
OccupationLawyer and writer
Spouse
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(m. 1910)​
Children3
Parents

Herbert Dixon Asquith (11 March 1881 – 5 August 1947) was an English poet, novelist, and lawyer.[2] Nicknamed "Beb" by his family, he was the second son of H. H. Asquith, British Prime Minister and the younger brother of Raymond Asquith.[2]

Asquith was greatly affected by his service with the Royal Artillery in World War I.[3] His poems included "The Volunteer" and "The Fallen Subaltern", the latter being a tribute to fallen soldiers. His poem "Soldiers at Peace" was set to music by Ina Boyle. His novels include the best-selling Young Orland (set during and after the First World War), Wind's End, Mary Dallon, and Roon.[2]

In 1910, he married Lady Cynthia Charteris, who was also a writer. She was the eldest daughter of Hugo Charteris, 11th Earl of Wemyss, and his wife, Mary Constance Wyndham.[2] They had three sons.[4]

  1. ^ 1901 England Census
  2. ^ a b c d e "Mr. Herbert Asquith – Poet and Novelist". The Times. 8 August 1947. p. 7.
  3. ^ Guest, Philip; Guest, Wendy (2012). "A Prime Minister and his Family at War: Part II". Siegfried's Journal. 22 (Summer 2012). Siegfried Sassoon Fellowship: 17–23.
  4. ^ "Mr. Herbert Asquith – Poet and Novelist". The Times. 8 August 1947. p. 7.