What is it about?
Insofar as literary scholars have heard of Edward Marsh, they usually regard him as the dilettantish editor of five volumes of so-called Georgian poetry -- poetry which is by definition second- or even third-rate, blown out of the water by triumphant 'Modernism' a few years later. This article presents an entirely different view of Marsh and his services to English poetry in the first half of the twentieth century, demonstrating his editorial skill and dedication as well as his generosity at all levels. 'The Father of modern English Poetry' (Robert Graves) is a designation with plenty of justification.
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Why is it important?
Recognition for Marsh's achievement will contribute to a rewriting of the history of modern English poetry in the early 20th century.
Perspectives
I shared the general ignorant prejudice about Edward Marsh until I stumbled across his private papers in the Berg Collection of the New York Public Library. Poring over them on repeated visits, I was soon overwhelmed with admiration for him and his work -- in short, he became my hero.
Professor Marianne Thormählen
Centre for Languages and Literature, Lund University
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This page is a summary of: Edward Marsh and Modern English Poetry, English Studies, August 2020, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.1080/0013838x.2020.1820710.
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