Date of Birth: January 16, 1874
Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
Date of Death: September 11, 1958
Biography
Robert William Service was a British-Canadian poet and writer, often referred to as “the Bard of the Yukon.” Born on January 16, 1874, in Preston, Lancashire, England, Service was the third of ten children in a banking family. He moved to Canada at the age of 21, initially working as a bank clerk. His early experiences in the Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush provided rich material for his poetry, leading to his first major collection, “Songs of a Sourdough,” published in 1907. The success of this collection brought him considerable fame and financial independence. Service’s works are characterized by their vivid depictions of the rugged life in the Canadian North, often focusing on themes of adventure, nature, and the human spirit. Some of his most famous poems include “The Shooting of Dan McGrew” and “The Cremation of Sam McGee.” Throughout his life, Service traveled extensively, living in places as diverse as Paris, Hollywood, and Monte Carlo. He continued to write poetry, novels, and memoirs until his death on September 11, 1958, in Lancieux, France.
5 Interesting Facts about Robert W. Service
1. Robert W. Service once worked as a cowboy in British Columbia before settling in the Yukon.
2. He served as a war correspondent during World War I and was an ambulance driver on the front lines.
3. Service’s “Songs of a Sourdough” sold over three million copies, a remarkable achievement for poetry at that time.
4. He was often compared to Rudyard Kipling for his narrative style and use of colloquial language.
5. Despite his fame, Service lived a relatively modest life, enjoying simple pleasures such as gardening and fishing.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Robert W. Service
1. “It’s the steady, quiet, plodding ones who win in the lifelong race.”
2. “A promise made is a debt unpaid.”
3. “The mountains have a secret they hold in high esteem.”
4. “Some praise the Lord for Light, / The living spark; / I thank God for the Night / The healing dark.”
5. “The only society I like is that which is rough and tough—and the tougher the better.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the height of his career, Robert W. Service’s net worth was estimated to be around $500,000, a substantial sum for a poet in his era.
Children
Robert W. Service did not have any children.
Relevant Links
1. [Robert W. Service – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_W._Service
2. [Poetry Foundation – Robert W. Service](https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/robert-w-service
4. [Poem Hunter – Robert W. Service](https://www.poemhunter.com/robert-w-service/
5. [Goodreads – Robert W. Service](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/36114.Robert_W_Service
