Ernest Dowson

Ernest Christopher Dowson (2 August 1867-23 February 1900), an English poet who was associated with the Decadent Movement, was born at Lee, south-east of London. He attended Oxford University, but left before obtaining a degree.

Related Topics:
2 August - 1867 - 23 February - 1900 - English - Decadent Movement - Lee - London - Oxford University

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He was a member of the Rhymer's Club, which included W. B. Yeats and Lionel Johnson. He was also a frequent contributor to the literary magazines The Yellow Book and The Savoy.

Related Topics:
Rhymer's Club - W. B. Yeats - Lionel Johnson - The Yellow Book - The Savoy

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In 1891 Dowson fell in love with 12-year-old Adelaide "Missie" Foltinowicz, the daughter of a Polish restaurant owner. Adelaide is reputed to be the subject of his best-known poem, Non Sum Qualis eram Bonae Sub Regno Cynarae. He pursued her unsuccessfully -- in 1893 she married a waiter in her father's restaurant, and Dowson was crushed. In 1895 his parents both committed suicide, and Dowson began to decline rapidly.

Related Topics:
1891 - Polish - 1893 - 1895

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Robert Sherard one day found Dowson almost penniless in a wine bar and took him back to the cottage in Catford where he was himself living. Dowson spent the last six weeks of his life at Sherard's cottage, and died there of alcoholism (or some say of tuberculosis) at the age of 32.

Related Topics:
Robert Sherard - Catford

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