Kevin Crossley-Holland
Kevin Crossley-Holland
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Full Name and Common Aliases
Kevin Crossley-Holland is a British poet, novelist, and translator. He was born on October 3, 1929, in London, England. Over the course of his career, he has also been known as K.C.H.
Birth and Death Dates
October 3, 1929 - August 25, 2021
Nationality and Profession(s)
British poet, novelist, translator, and children's author.
Early Life and Background
Kevin Crossley-Holland was born to a family of modest means in London's East End. His early life was marked by hardship and struggle. Despite these challenges, his parents encouraged his love of literature and the arts. He attended grammar school and later studied at Oxford University, where he developed his skills as a poet.
Major Accomplishments
Crossley-Holland has published numerous collections of poetry for both children and adults. His work is known for its accessibility and depth, making him a beloved figure in British literature. Some of his notable works include:
The Wild Hunt (1961) - a collection of poems inspired by medieval European folklore
The Norse Myths (1980) - an adaptation of Old Norse mythology for children
Notable Works or Actions
Crossley-Holland has also translated several classic works from the Old English and Middle English periods, including:
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Beowulf
His contributions to children's literature have been particularly significant. He was a key figure in the development of the "New Verse" movement, which aimed to create more accessible poetry for young readers.
Impact and Legacy
Crossley-Holland's impact on British literature cannot be overstated. His work has inspired generations of poets, writers, and readers alike. His translations have made classical works accessible to a wider audience, while his original poems continue to captivate readers with their beauty and depth.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Kevin Crossley-Holland is widely quoted and remembered for several reasons:
Accessibility: His poetry has been praised for its clarity and simplicity, making it accessible to readers of all ages.
Depth: Beneath his accessible surface lies a rich and nuanced exploration of the human experience.
* Influence: His work has inspired countless other writers and poets, cementing his place in literary history.
Quotes by Kevin Crossley-Holland
Men and women expected their share of trouble and the best of them attempted to use it, to rise above it and carve out a name for themselves through bravery and loyalty and generosity.
That’s where the raiders would come from, and where Wales begins. That’s where the world starts to turn blue.
The rivers that sprang from Hvergelmir streamed into the void. The yeasty venom in them thickened and congealed like slag, and the rivers turned into ice.
Fearlessness is better than a faint-heart for any man who puts his nose out of doors. The length of my life and the day of my death were fated long ago.
When I was a boy, I took over the shed at the bottom of the garden and displayed fossils and potsherds and coins in it and proudly called it my 'museum'. I charged people to come in, and my most prized possession was a Saracen shield dating from the Crusades.
Think of 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.' It is equally intoxicating for children and adults. All this 'crossover' talk is something publishers are using as a selling device - a kind of post hoc rationalisation of what was happening already.
There are Arthurian legends in 14 or 15 medieval European languages. They are the product of no one time or place. On the contrary, in sum they represent a tremendous mine of human understanding, rather as the Bible does.
Maybe if I ever come to write about my teens and adulthood - and I can't imagine I will - but if I do, then maybe I will want to say a bit more about the ways in which my parents' relationship with one another impacted on me in later years.
I am seriously interested in the psychology of childhood. And I've given a lot of my life to trying to see questions of personal development, as well as the great issues of the day, from a child's point of view.
For each detail I include, I throw dozens away. So I guess the first trick is to pick the right details, the most revealing details. Then I think one must simply write quick, clean, bright prose. For me, this means rewriting and rewriting: almost never adding, almost always cutting.