A WAR poetry enthusiast claims to have uncovered the location of the “most powerful meeting of English literature in the 20th century” – a Scottish golf club.
First World War poet Wilfred Owen struck up a friendship with Siegfried Sassoon during treatment for shell shock at Craiglockhart Hospital in Edinburgh.
During this period the pair met with fellow poet Robert Graves, but scholars were unable to prove where this took place.
Now Aberdeen University lecturer Neil McLennan says clues in 1917 letters from Sassoon to Graves, which are held by Southern Illinois University, prove Baberton Golf Club was the venue.
McLennan said: “We always knew the three men met in Edinburgh but not where. It was thought to be a golf club owing to Sassoon’s love of the game.
“Many may wonder why this matters, but it is an important piece of the city’s literary history. One of Edinburgh’s golf clubs can say it held potentially the most powerful meeting of English literature in the 20th century. The three most significant war poets were there. “Owen is often referred to as the most powerful war poet, perhaps even the most powerful poet in English literature and this meeting was key to his success.”
He went on: “Owen clearly made an impression on Graves. He had met Graves only this one time, however was invited to Graves’s wedding the following year. Sassoon had already been acting as a somewhat poetic mentor to Owen, however now another poet recognised his talent and between Graves and Sassoon, Owen is introduced to the good and great before he returns to war service. “ Baberton Golf Club Captain Alan Goodman said: “We were excited to learn that this historic meeting took place in our clubhouse. We intend to create a permanent reminder of this meeting for members and visitors to view.”
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