Francis Thompson

Date of Birth: December 16, 1859

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: November 13, 1907

Biography

Francis Thompson was an English poet and ascetic born in Preston, Lancashire. He is best known for his mystical and deeply religious poems that often explore themes of faith, suffering, and redemption. Despite his literary achievements, Thompson led a troubled life, marked by periods of addiction and homelessness. His most famous work, “The Hound of Heaven,” is celebrated for its complex and haunting imagery. Thompson’s life took a dramatic turn when he was discovered by Wilfrid Meynell and his wife, Alice, who helped him publish his works and achieve some degree of stability. He spent his final years in a monastery, where he continued to write until his death.

5 Interesting Facts about Francis Thompson

1. Francis Thompson initially studied to become a priest but left the seminary after failing his exams.

2. He battled opium addiction for a significant part of his life, which greatly influenced his poetry.

3. Thompson lived as a vagrant on the streets of London before being discovered by the Meynells.

4. He was a contemporary of notable poets like Gerard Manley Hopkins and was influenced by the Pre-Raphaelites.

5. His poem “The Hound of Heaven” was praised by J.R.R. Tolkien and G.K. Chesterton for its profound spiritual insight.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Francis Thompson

1. “The angels keep their ancient places; Turn but a stone, and start a wing!”

2. “Nothing begins, and nothing ends, That is not paid with moan; For we are born in others’ pain, And perish in our own.”

3. “All things by immortal power, Near or far, Hiddenly, To each other linked are, That thou canst not stir a flower Without troubling of a star.”

4. “The night has a thousand eyes, And the day but one; Yet the light of the bright world dies With the dying sun.”

5. “Thou canst not stir a flower Without troubling of a star.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Francis Thompson did not achieve significant financial success during his lifetime. His highest net worth was modest, primarily derived from the patronage of the Meynells and limited sales of his poetry collections.