C. Day Lewis

Date of Birth: April 27, 1904

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: May 22, 1972

Biography

Cecil Day-Lewis, often known as C. Day Lewis, was an Anglo-Irish poet and the Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom from 1968 until his death in 1972. Born on April 27, 1904, in Ballintubbert, County Laois, Ireland, Day-Lewis was the son of Frank Day-Lewis, a Church of Ireland clergyman. He was educated at Sherborne School and Wadham College, Oxford, where he became associated with the literary group that included W. H. Auden, Stephen Spender, and Louis MacNeice, often referred to as the “Auden Group.” Day-Lewis initially gained recognition for his socially conscious poetry that reflected the political and social turmoil of the 1930s. He later distanced himself from his early Marxist influences, focusing more on personal and lyrical themes. In addition to poetry, he wrote detective novels under the pseudonym Nicholas Blake, including the popular Nigel Strangeways series. His literary career also included translations of classical works, such as Virgil’s “Aeneid,” and he served as an academic, holding various teaching positions. Day-Lewis was married twice, first to Constance Mary King in 1928, with whom he had two sons, and later to actress Jill Balcon, with whom he had two more children, including the renowned actor Daniel Day-Lewis. He passed away on May 22, 1972, in Hadley Wood, Barnet, London.

5 Interesting Facts about C. Day Lewis

1. C. Day-Lewis was born in Ireland but spent most of his life in England.

2. He wrote detective novels under the pseudonym Nicholas Blake.

3. He was appointed Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom in 1968.

4. Day-Lewis translated Virgil’s “Aeneid” and other classical works.

5. His son, Daniel Day-Lewis, is a celebrated actor who has won multiple Academy Awards.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from C. Day Lewis

1. “We do not write in order to be understood; we write in order to understand.”

2. “A poet is not an isolated individual; he is part of the people.”

3. “Faith is the response to the promise of life.”

4. “The poet’s aim is to speak to his own time in words that can still be heard when it is over.”

5. “The writer’s duty is to keep on writing.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

C. Day-Lewis’s highest net worth was modest compared to modern standards, as he primarily earned his income through literary and academic pursuits. Estimated at around £100,000 at the time of his death.

Children

C. Day-Lewis had four children: 1. Sean Day-Lewis (born 1931), from his first marriage to Constance Mary King. 2. Nicholas Day-Lewis (born 1933), also from his first marriage. 3. Tamasin Day-Lewis (born 1953), a food writer and critic, from his second marriage to Jill Balcon. 4. Daniel Day-Lewis (born 1957), an acclaimed actor, also from his second marriage.