Henry Newbolt and the Spirit of Clifton
A study of the life and literary work of Sir Henry Newbolt set against the background of Clifton College, where he was a pupil from 1876 to 1881 and which greatly influenced him.
A poet, historian, novelist, naval expert, literary critic, journalist and man of affairs Newbolt was famous in his day as the author of some of the most quoted verses in the English language, especially the poem Vitai Lampada which begins 'There's a breathless hush in the Close to-night' and ends 'Play up, and play the game'. The Close in question was the sports field which stands in front of Clifton College. Newbolt was knighted and made a Companion of Honour for many services to the nation and this was the first published biography of him. It also includes eleven poems most relevant to Clifton.
Published by the Redcliffe Press, Bristol, in 1986, 109 pages, softback. To mark the 125th anniversary of the foundation of Clifton and also Newbolt's birth, in 1987, 125 copies were bound in blue hardback covers and embossed in gold with the Clifton College coat-of-arms. All copies now sold.
