Wilfred Owen

Wilfred Edward Salter Owen, MC (March 18 1893 – November 4 1918) was an English poet. Owen is regarded by some as the leading poet of the First World War, known for his war poetry on the horrors of trench and gas warfare. He died in action in France in 1918; most of his poetry was published posthumously.

Relationship with Sassoon

Owen, however, would have strongly disagreed with the assumption that he was superior, or even that he was a poet opposed to war. His poems criticise the conditions of the First World War, but his poetry is relatively unconcerned with its motives. He held Sassoon in an esteem not far from hero-worship, remarking to his mother about Sassoon that he was "not worthy to light his pipe". Several incidents in Owen's life, as well as some of his poems (e.g. It was a navy boy) and his circle of friends in London, have led to the conclusion that he was a closet homosexual, and that he was attracted to Sassoon as a man as well as a more experienced poet. Surviving letters show quite clearly that he was in love with Sassoon, but there is no evidence that Sassoon reciprocated his feelings, or that their relationship ever became sexual. Indeed Sassoon rarely mentions him in either letters or diaries from the time, and in 1946 described his behaviour at Craiglockhart War Hospital as 'consistently cheerful'. However, Harold Owen, Wilfred's brother, was responsible for Owen's letters and diaries after his mother Susan died. Harold Owen is now credited with the destruction and editing of hundreds of Owen's letters, including scoring out sections and destroying others. He was also responsible for changing the commendation of Wilfred's Owen's Military Cross so that it looked less bloodthirsty and more in keeping with the popular perception of the sensitive officer poet.

Related Topics:
First World War - London - Homosexual - Craiglockhart War Hospital - Military Cross

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Wilfred Owen was devastated by Sassoon's decision to return to the front, though he left Craiglockhart before Sassoon did. He was stationed in Scarborough on home-duty for several months, during which time he associated with members of the artistic circle into which Sassoon had introduced him, including Robert Ross and Robert Graves. During this period he developed the stylistic voice for which he is now recognised.

Related Topics:
Craiglockhart - Scarborough - Robert Ross - Robert Graves

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Pat Barker's 1991 historical novel Regeneration explored Owen's relationship with Sassoon and with W. H. R. Rivers, his doctor.

Related Topics:
Pat Barker - Regeneration - W. H. R. Rivers

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