The Dymock Poets Collection
For a brief time in the early years of the First World War, the Gloucestershire village of Dymock played host to a talented group of young poets and writers. Years later, the term 'Dymock Poets' was used to describe six of these writers - Lascelles Abercrombie, Rupert Brooke, John Drinkwater, Robert Frost, Wilfrid Gibson and Edward Thomas. Some of them went on to greater prominence, but others sadly died in the First World War. Ledbury is the closest market town to Dymock and Robert Frost recalled how in 1915 he watched the young men of Dymock march away to catch the train at Ledbury.
In 2018 Linda Hart, founder of 'The Friends of The Dymock Poets' donated her reference collection of books and pamphlets on the Dymock Poets to Herefordshire Libraries, to be housed at Ledbury Library.
The collection comprises:
- Over 300 books, pamphlets and journals by or about the Dymock Poets, including many US publications
- Over 75 books by and about Robert Frost
- Over 40 books by and about Rupert Brooke
- Over 40 books by and about Edward Thomas
- Letters, reviews, articles, ephemera
Most of the books have now been catalogued and more are planned. You will find a list of titles available on the Herefordshire Libraries online catalogue by typing Dymock Poets Collection into the Search box.
Access to the Dymock Poets Collection
You are welcome to refer to the books in the collection and discover more about the work of this talented group. The collection is housed in the original Pantry of The Master’s House at Ledbury. If you are planning a special visit or extended research, you may wish to book the Pantry for your use. Please contact Ledbury Library for details at ledburylibrary@herefordshire.gov.uk
Herefordshire Libraries are continuing to add to the Dymock Poets reference collection. There are also lending copies of several titles available which you can reserve and borrow from any Herefordshire library.