Edmund Gosse (1849-1928) was a British writer, literary critic, and poet. He was born in London to a well-known family; his father was the naturalist Philip Henry Gosse. Despite his father's strict religious beliefs, Gosse pursued a literary career, studying at Trinity College, Cambridge and eventually becoming a literary critic for the magazine The Spectator. Gosse's literary output was prolific, including poetry, fiction, and criticism. He was a prominent figure in the literary scene of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and his work was highly regarded for its insight and erudition. His most famous work, "Father and Son" (1907), was a memoir about his relationship with his father and the conflict between his own artistic aspirations and his father's religious beliefs. In addition to his writing, Gosse was also a noted scholar and biographer. He wrote several biographies of prominent literary figures, including Ibsen, Swinburne, and Thomas Gray. Gosse was a respected member of the literary establishment, serving as the librarian of the House of Lords and as a lecturer at Trinity College. He was also a member of the Order of Merit, one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a British citizen. Edmund Gosse's legacy lives on as a celebrated writer and critic, whose work continues to be studied and appreciated by literary scholars and readers alike.
