W.H. Davies is best known today for his popular poem 'Leisure'. But this elegant homage to the quiet life stands in stark contrast to the picaresque story of its author. Jobless, penniless and homeless for the majority of the first half of his life, Davies roamed the streets from the Welsh docklands to Northern Canada - losing his leg freeriding a train in the Yukon along the way. At forty he wrote his life story, which made him famous. Befriending Shaw, Conrad and other influential literary figures, the former hobo suddenly found himself at the centre of literary life. Eventually retiring to the Cotswolds with a ex-prostitute half his age, Davies died in 1940 leaving his estate to a man he had never met. In Time to Stand and Stare Barbara Hooper tells for the first time the extraordinary story of the man who called himself the Super Tramp. - The most up-to-date biography in print. - Written with the co-operation of W.H. Davies's estate. - Draws on brand new material including unpublished photographs. - 'Leisure' currently used in television advertising campaign.
- ISBN13 9780720612059
- Publish Date 28 May 2004
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint Peter Owen Publishers
- Format Paperback
- Pages 216
- Language English