Edith Sitwell

Roger Fry - Edith Sitwell

Edith Sitwell (7 September 1887 – 9 December 1964) was an English poet and critic, renowned for her eccentric personality and clothing as well as her distinctive, often avant-garde poetry. She was a prominent figure in the modernist movement in England, and her work was characterized by its wit, flamboyance, and acerbic critiques of contemporary society.

Early Life

Edith Sitwell was born in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, into an aristocratic family. She was the eldest of three children, with two younger brothers, Osbert and Sacheverell, who were also writers. The Sitwell family was known for their artistic interests and eccentricities. Edith's relationship with her parents, especially her mother, was strained, and she found solace in literature and writing from an early age.

Career

Sitwell's literary career began with the publication of her first poem in 1913. She quickly became a central figure in the London literary scene, known for her dramatic public readings and distinctive appearance. Her early work was published in small, avant-garde magazines, but she gained wider recognition with the publication of her first collection of poems, The Mother and Other Poems (1915).

Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, Sitwell continued to publish poetry that was innovative in form and content. Her work often incorporated elements of satire, and she was known for her critiques of English society, particularly its class system and the condition of women. Some of her most notable works from this period include Façade (1922), an experimental poem set to music by composer William Walton, and the collection Gold Coast Customs (1929).

In addition to her poetry, Sitwell was an influential critic and essayist. She wrote extensively on literature, art, and society, and her essays were collected in several volumes, including English Eccentrics (1933), which celebrated the quirks and idiosyncrasies of historical figures.

Later Life and Legacy

In her later years, Sitwell's work became more reflective, focusing on themes of spirituality and mortality. Her autobiography, Taken Care Of (1965), was published posthumously and provides insight into her life and the literary circles in which she moved.

Edith Sitwell died on 9 December 1964 at the age of 77. She left behind a body of work that continues to be celebrated for its originality and wit. Sitwell's influence on English literature and modernist poetry is significant, and she remains a fascinating figure in the history of 20th-century literature.

Selected Works

• The Mother and Other Poems (1915)
• Façade (1922)
• Gold Coast Customs (1929)
• English Eccentrics (1933)
• Taken Care Of (1965, autobiography)

See Also

• Literary modernism
• Osbert Sitwell
• Sacheverell Sitwell
• William Walton