John Masefield’s first sea voyage brought him not only sea sickness, but an awe of the beauty of nature. His records show his delight in seeing flying fish, porpoises and birds and particularly a rare sighting of a nocturnal rainbow, known as a ‘Moonbow’. [1]
John Masefield was an English poet, novelist, and playwright who enjoyed a long and prolific career spanning several decades. Among his best-known works are the children’s novels The Midnight Folk and The Box of Delights, and the poems The Everlasting Mercy and Sea-Fever. His work often explored themes of nature, the sea, and the human condition.
Masefield was born on 1 June 1878, in Herefordshire, England. He was the second son of solicitor George Masefield and his wife Caroline. The family was financially comfortable, but his childhood was marked by personal struggles and tragedy. His mother died giving birth to his sister when he was six years old, and he went to live with his aunt. His father died soon afterward, following a mental breakdown.
Masefield’s early years were spent in the countryside, where he developed a love of nature and a passion for adventure. After an unhappy education, he ran away to sea at the age of 15 and spent the next few years working as a merchant seaman, traveling the world, and experiencing the harsh realities of life at sea. Masefield’s shipboard experiences had a profound influence on his writing, and many of his poems and stories are set at sea or have nautical themes.
In 1895 the urge to become a writer and the hopelessness of life as a sailor overtook him, and, in New York, Masefield jumped ship, spending time in America before returning to England. His first book of poetry, Salt-Water Ballads, was published in 1902 and was well-received by critics and readers alike. In June 1903 Masefield married Constance de la Cherois Crommelin who was 12 years his senior and a good match for him, despite the difference in their ages. The couple had two children, Judith and Lewis.
In 1930, Masefield was appointed Poet Laureate and remained in the post until his death. The only person to hold the office for a longer period was Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Throughout his career, Masefield was known for his straightforward, unadorned writing style and his ability to capture the beauty and power of nature. He died in May 1967 aged 88.