Siegfried Sassoon: Scorched Glory - A Critical Study - (George Sassoon’s own presentation copy)

Siegfried Sassoon: Scorched Glory - A Critical Study - By Paul Moeyes, published in April 1993, by Paul Moeyes. This book is a soft back presentation copy of Paul Moeyes’ doctoral thesis which he sent to Siegfried Sassoon’s son, George Sassoon in January 1994. Moeyes had not yet managed to find a publisher for this work and was asking George for advice on the cost of quoting copyright material and also for his opinion of the book. The book would eventually be published by Palgrave Macmillan in 1997. The second picture above is the accompanying letter Paul Moeyes sent to George with the book. The third picture above is the first page of the book on which George has made several notes, and the fourth picture shows the subsequent letter (there are two pages) which George sent back to Paul Moeyes. These are fascinating documents relating to Siegfried Sassoon, and I hope to record the contents of these letters on this web site in the near future.

Matthew and the Miller (From the Library of Hester Gatty, Wife of Siegfried Sassoon)

Matthew and the Miller, a novel by Violet Bradby. Published in 1909 by Blackie and Son Ltd.

The inscription on the front endpaper (right) reads: “To Miss Hester Gatty with love from K. M. Bennett. July 8th 1914. A small prize for a good girl.”

In Quest of a Kingdom (From the Library of Hester Gatty, Wife of Siegfried Sassoon)

In Quest of a Kingdom, a novel by Samuel Walkey. Published in 1919 by Cassell and Company Ltd.

The inscription on the front endpaper (right) reads: “Hester from O. Xmas 1919.” ‘O’, being Hester’s brother, Oliver.

MANSOUL (Or, The Riddle of the World) (Siegfried Sassoon’s own copy)

MANSOUL (Or, The Riddle of the World), by Charles M. Doughty. Published in 1920 by Selwyn & Blount.

As a young boy Sassoon had read Doughty’s books The Dawn of Britain and Arabia Deserta, and in 1909 had sent him a copy of one of his specially bound volumes of Sonnets and Verses.

The book also carries the Sotheby’s monogram label as proof that it came from Siegfried Sassoon’s own library.

Lalla Rookh (Siegfried Sassoon’s own copy)

Lalla Rookh, An Oriental Romance, by Thomas Moore. Published in 1822 by Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme and Brown.

This book was once owned by Siegfried Sassoon. He wrote his monogram on the front endpaper and dated it 1903, he would have been 17 years old at that time. Sassoon began collecting books from the age of 14.

The book also carries the Sotheby’s monogram label as proof that it came from Siegfried Sassoon’s own library.

An Anthology of War Poems

An Anthology of War Poems, with an Introduction by Edmund Blunden, (Collins Sons & Co, 1930). This anthology, (which includes Wilfred Owen among many others), compiled by Frederick Brereton, contains seven of Sassoon’s poems. This is more than any other poet in the book, and in 1930 shows the supremacy that Siegfried Sassoon had attained amongst his peers.

The war poet Edmund Blunden, who admittedly, was a great friend of Sassoon, is unstinting in his praise of the poet, and the compiler had no hesitation in publishing Blunden’s views in a very interesting Introduction.

Blunden stated “The time was now coming when the attack on war was to be made on a large scale, without egotism or minor concern, by a poet with every qualification for his glorious and difficult crusade...[he] offered portraits of the soldier seen against the dreadful horizons, or lying still on fatal parapets; and here were outbursts of white anger against those who drowned all the cryings of truth with clamorous claptrap or vulgar excess...It was his triumph to be the first man who even described war fully and exactly.

Everyman - September 18th 1930

Everyman Vol. 4, No. 86, September 18th, 1930: On the cover is a portrait of Siegfried Sassoon taken by the photographer Cecil Beaton.

Inside is a review of Sassoon’s new book, Memoirs of an Infantry Officer, which had just been published. There is an insightful statement which says: “It is probable in years to come one of the outstanding personalities of the war, whose name will be known when those of Army Commanders are forgotten, will be the poet, Siegfried Sassoon.”

Unfortunately this is rather ruined by further statements from which I cannot help but conclude that the reviewer had not actually read the book (or at least not all of it). The full review is printed on the Book Reviews page on this site but one example is the statement that Sassoon, “became a pacifist and was only made to return to duty when threatened with confinement in a lunatic asylum.” A ridiculous assertion.

This is still an interesting review and has much good to say about Sassoon and his books.

A number of letters relating to Siegfried Sassoon and Stephen Tennant from 1930

These consist of a draft letter on one sheet of notepaper (above right) written on both sides with many corrections. It was written by Sassoon to Dr Chandler asking his opinion of his lover Stephen Tennant’s health - he was suffering from tuberculosis and depression. He writes that, “As far as I am concerned this is an SOS that I am sending.” Included is a carbon copy of a letter by Stephen Tennant’s brother Christopher Lord Glenconner to Dr Snowden about his brother. By the side of his comment ‘We shall also be glad to have your expert views on his condition’ Sassoon has written in pencil ‘how kind!’  The latter was unhappy with how the Tennants treated Stephen's illness. In addition there are two letters to Sassoon from Dr Chandler giving his opinion of Tennant’s illness. There is also one letter to Stephen Tennant’s aunt Anne from a doctor in Harley Street.

These letters, including the full text of each, have been added to the Letters page.

Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam and the Salaman and Absal of Jami (From Rachel Beer)

This book, published by Bernard Quaritch in 1879, was given as a gift to Louise Sassoon from her sister Rachel in 1889 as shown in the inscription (above right). Louise Sassoon and Rachel [Beer] were both aunts of Siegfried Sassoon. Two Aunts

The Ballad of Beau Brocade and Other Poems of the XVIIIth Century (Siegfried Sassoon’s own copy)

The Ballad of Beau Brocade and Other Poems of the XVIIIth Century ... With Fifty Illustrations by Hugh Thomson. Published in London by Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co., 1892. Bound in contemporary three quarter grey crushed levant with marbled boards and endsheets. Frontis, illustrations and plates. First printing of this edition (small paper issue). A fine association copy, being a gift from the young Siegfried Sassoon, and his younger brother, Hamo, to their mother, inscribed on the recto of the ad leaf: "For Mamsy from Siegfried. and Hamo." While the inscription is undated, it is in Sassoon's relatively early hand, most likely not much later than later than 1900. Hamo Sassoon was born in 1887 and was killed during the Gallipoli Campaign, on the 1st November 1915. With the Sotheby’s label for the posthumous dispersal of Sassoon's library on the front pastedown. See His Library.

Inscription: This inscription is interesting in more than one way. There appears to be a full stop after “Siegfried,” and the following two words “and Hamo” appear to be in a different hand with a lighter touch with the pen. Is it possible that Siegfried wrote his inscription and, whether asked by Siegfried or not, Hamo then added his name also? It is fascinating to think that both brothers wrote the inscription.  

ON THIS SITE - Descriptions and links to the pages in more detail - Those in green have been updated or are new

Sassoon Books These are broken down into seven categories which record the books that Siegfried Sassoon wrote himself, comprising of his early poems, autobiographies both fictional and real published in the UK, US and Europe. His poetry published in the UK and the US., and other publications which in this case comprise of his biographies of Meredith, published in the UK and US.

Contributions There are three categories in this section, books in which Siegfried Sassoon has contributed the Introduction or Foreword. Pages covering the six decades in which his poems were published by others, (mainly in anthologies) from 1917 to 1967, and books in which he has contributed other texts, mainly excerpts from his autobiographies.

About Sassoon These are books which contain information about Siegfried Sassoon, written during his lifetime. The books are written by such famous names as Edmund Gosse, David Garnett and Frank Swinnerton. Also included are two books by the renowned bibliographer Geoffrey Keynes. Keynes wrote Sassoons bibliography which has helped enormously in the creation of this web site.

Catalogues An interesting section which covers auction catalogues relating to Siegfried Sassoon’s work. These catalogues give a fascinating look at the library of Siegfried Sassoon when it was sold off after his death and scattered around the world. Sales include Sassoon’s work from the collections of Lady Ottoline Morrell, Stephen Tennant and Max Beerbohm

Modern Day This section includes books that have been written about Siegfried Sassoon or have articles relating to him in the years after his death up to the modern day. These books include the two latest modern biographies written about Sassoon, Jean Moorcroft Wilson’s ‘The Making of a War Poet’ and ‘The Journey from the Trenches’ and Max Egremont’s ‘Siegfried Sassoon - A Biography.’

Periodicals This section covers magazines and periodicals in which Siegfried Sassoon has had his work published or contain stories about him during his lifetime. They include limited runs such as ‘The Owl’ edited by another famous war poet, Robert Graves, and magazines of larger circulation such as the American publication, The Literary Digest,

Book Reviews These contemporary reviews of Sassoon’s books are taken from various literary magazines of the time, the title of each is acknowledged along with the date of the review. I believe that these reviews are important today as they are unbiased and show just how Sassoon’s books were received at the time they were written. It also gives people who are new to Sassoon a glimpse of what each book is about.

Music A small but hopefully growing section highlighting any of Siegfried Sassoon’s poems that have been put to music. This selection includes ‘Three Song Pictures’, by Cyril Bradley Rootham, ‘A Childs Prayer’ also by Rootham and ‘Song Cycle’ by Howard Morgan, which includes ‘Noah’, ‘An Old French Poet’, ‘October’, A Poplar and the Moon’ and ‘Goblin Revel.’

His Library A small but fascinating selection of books in my possession which once formed part of Siegfried Sassoon’s own library and were later auctioned off. Also, a small number of books that belonged to Sassoon’s wife, Hester Gatty. These books were auctioned off after Sassoon’s death and have re-entered the market at various times since enabling me to purchase them and add them to this web site.

Sassoon Biography A short, one page biography of Siegfried Sassoon. This biography has been created as a tiny window into the life of the great poet and writer. Elsewhere on this web site will be found more information about his life and his friends which will go to build up a complete picture of the poet, writer, soldier, hero, country gentleman and lover of an English way of life long since past.

A Soldier’s Declaration This is the Hansard report which covers Sasssoon’s Declaration which he wrote in 1917 and sent to a sympathetic MP to be read out in the House of Commons. Sassoon had wanted to do something to shake the establishment at its heart and to speak out about the insincere way in which he thought the war was being pursued by the British Government. It covers the Commons Debate and his Declaration.

Sassoons Art A new page which showcases some of Siegfried Sassoon’s little known paintings and sketches. Siegfried Sassoon enjoyed sketching and painting and often made drawings in the front of books and sent them as gifts to his friends. He also produced watercolour paintings and caricatures of friends and acquaintances.

Keynes A short, one page biography of Sassoon’s bibliographer, Sir Geoffrey Keynes. Geoffrey Keynes (pronounced “Canes”) maintained a passionate interest in English literature all his life. He produced biographies and bibliographies of English writers such as Sir Thomas Browne, John Evelyn, Siegfried Sassoon, John Donne and Jane Austen. His Sassoon bibliography has helped me enormously.

Robert Ross Siegfried Sassoon first met the art expert and literary critic Robert Ross in June 1913, at a party given by Sir Edmund Gosse. Ross, eighteen years older than Sassoon, was a patron of emerging actors, poets and writers and had a significant effect on Sassoon’s work by encouraging him to write poetry critical of the military hierarchy.

Massingham H.W. Massingham was the editor of the Nation, a leading British radical weekly newspaper, between 1907 and 1923. Massingham published a number of Sassoon’s poems in the paper during these years. He was highly enough thought of by Sassoon to be asked his advice before Sassoon went ahead with his protest and was one of the people to whom Sassoon sent a copy of his original statement at the time.

Crosland A page about the first editor to commercially publish Sassoon’s poetry. In the spring of 1909, having had limited success in getting his work published, Siegfried Sassoon was looking for other publications to contact and sent some poems to T.W.H. Crosland the editor of the journal, ‘The Academy’, who was himself a poet and whose work Sassoon respected.

Robert Graves served in the same battalion as Siegfried Sassoon and they became great friends. Graves was also a talented war poet and had ‘helped’ Sassoon during the period of his protest by convincing the army authorities that Sassoon was suffering from shell-shock, and ought to be confined to a hospital rather than be court-martialled for his refusal to fight. Sassoon had not asked for, nor appreciated this intervention.

Hester Gatty Edith Olivier introduced Sassoon to Hester in 1933 and to the surprise of many people, they were married later the same year. In 1936 they had a son, George, but the marriage would not last. Sassoon, too used to living on is own terms felt smothered by Hester’s attention and in 1945 they had separated, Hester leaving the family home, Heytesbury House, in Wiltshire, eventually to live on the island of Mull.

Two Aunts The book featured on this page is a copy of the ‘Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam and the Salaman and Absal of Jami,’ published by Bernard Quaritch in 1879. The book was given as a gift to Louise Sassoon from her sister Rachel in 1889 and carries an inscription. Louise Sassoon and Rachel [Beer] were both aunts of Siegfried Sassoon and this page contains some details about them.

Poems Every time a poem is mentioned in the text on any page, there will be a link to the full poem on this page. This is by no means a complete list of Sassoon’s poems. Whenever the title of a poem not previously referred to before is added to a page, it will be recorded in full here. This page will grow as more books are added.

Popular Poems This table shows which poems were published in anthologies and how many times during the period approximately 1917 to 1966. A total of 47 books are examined. I know that there may be many other books as yet unseen that also include poems, but 47 is a good start in order to deduce what were considered to be Sassoon’s most popular poems. The list will be updated as other titles are discovered.

Edingthorpe As a child Sassoon spent many a happy holiday with his mother and brothers at the old rectory in Edingthorpe, Norfolk. In 1937 he revisited the village and wrote about his memories in ‘The Old Century and Seven More Years’ [1938], I visited Edingthorpe in 1994 and took the pictures found on this page making reference to their part in Sassoon’s story.

1924 Road Trip In 1924 Siegfried Sassoon was living at 54, Tufton Street, London. On the 6th September he decided to drive to Malvern and visit his great friend, the Neurologist, Henry Head. On this page I have listed all of the places that he passed through on his driving tour, or ‘Road Trip.’ Also, I have included pictures of the hotels that he stayed at overnight or stopped at for food during his journey.

Letters On this page I have put any letters I have relating to Siegfried Sassoon. These letters have either been written by Sassoon, or written by his friends and associates to him or to other people within his circle. At the moment I have a letter written by Sassoon to a lady suggesting she buy a house in Heytesbury. Also a letter written by Sassoon’s friend Robert Ross, another by H W Massingham and one from Geoffrey Keynes.

Heytesbury In 1933 Sassoon bought Heytesbury House, a Georgian mansion surrounded by 90 acres of parkland and 130 acres of woods just outside the village of Heytesbury in Wiltshire. Sassoon was living here when he died and the site is much changed now. This page shows how it was at the time, and what has happened to it since.

Mells Siegfried Sassoon died in 1967 a week before his eighty-first birthday. He had made it known that when he died he wished to be buried in the church yard at Mells, Somerset, close to the grave of Father Ronald Knox. Knox had been a Roman Catholic priest who preached at the church in Mells and who helped Sassoon to convert to Roman Catholicism.

Wellesley College News, May 6th, 1920 - On 28th January, 1920, Siegfried Sassoon arrived in New York. “A lecture tour seemed a way to escape and make money, not only for himself but to help his friends who, imagining him to be rich - because of his name - turned to him often.” (Egremont, Sassoon, 2005, p241.) This is a report in a college newspaper of a lecture Sassoon gave in the United States.

Who Was Whom? The people in the Sherston Trilogy were all real, however their real names were not used and Sassoon gave them each a pseudonym. This page gives the pseudonym and the real names of all these people, including a number of place names that feature in the three books. Most of this detection work has been done by others to whom I offer acknowledgment on the page.

Contact Hello, my name is David Gray and I created this web site. Please contact me from this page. I first became interested in Siegfried Sassoon when I picked up an old copy of Memoirs of an Infantry Officer in an old bric-a-brac shop in Peterborough where I live. I find Sassoon incredibly interesting not just for his writing, but also for his amazing bravery, both physically on the battlefield, and morally with regard to his protest.

Links Web sites which may or may not relate to Siegfried Sassoon but could still be of interest to others. These sites include a number which refer directly to Siegfried Sassoon, and others with a military theme relating to the First and Second World Wars. Subjects include the French Resistence in WWII, soldiers who fought in the First World war, and local sites about the city in which I live, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire.

Sassoon Speaks