W. H. Davies

Date of Birth: July 3, 1871

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: September 26, 1940

Biography

William Henry Davies, commonly known as W. H. Davies, was a Welsh poet and writer born on July 3, 1871, in Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales. His life was marked by extreme contrasts, as he spent considerable time as a tramp in the United States and the United Kingdom, only to later become one of the most popular poets of his time. Davies’ experiences of vagrancy are chronicled in his autobiography “The Autobiography of a Super-Tramp,” which was published in 1908 and gained him significant literary recognition. Despite his humble beginnings and challenging life, Davies produced a substantial body of poetry that often celebrated nature, human resilience, and the joys of simplicity. His style is characterized by its straightforward language and rich imagery, making his work accessible to a broad audience. Davies’ later years were more stable; he married Helen Matilda Payne in 1923 and settled in Gloucestershire, England. He continued to write and publish poetry until his death on September 26, 1940.

5 Interesting Facts about W. H. Davies

1. W. H. Davies lost his right foot in an accident while attempting to jump a freight train in Canada.

2. He published his first book of poetry, “The Soul’s Destroyer,” in 1905, financing it himself.

3. His autobiography, “The Autobiography of a Super-Tramp,” was introduced by the famous playwright George Bernard Shaw.

4. Davies was a member of the Poets’ Club in London, where he interacted with notable literary figures of his time.

5. His poem “Leisure” remains one of his most well-known works, often quoted for its opening lines: “What is this life if, full of care, / We have no time to stand and stare.”

5 Most Interesting Quotes from W. H. Davies

1. “What is this life if, full of care, / We have no time to stand and stare.”

2. “A poor life this if, full of care, / We have no time to stand and stare.”

3. “It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness.”

4. “Great beauty in nature is often so simple that it is overlooked.”

5. “The more help a person has in his garden, the less it belongs to him.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

W. H. Davies’ highest net worth is not well-documented, but he achieved significant success and financial stability later in life, particularly after the publication of his autobiography and subsequent recognition.