(born March 18, 1893, Oswetry, Shropshire, Eng.—died Nov. 4, 1918, France) British poet. Owen was already writing verse before he enlisted in the army in 1915, but the experience of trench warfare brought him to rapid maturity; the poignant poems he wrote after January 1917 are full of anger at the cruelty and waste of war and pity for its victims. A week before the armistice, he died in action at age 25. His single volume of poems, published posthumously, is noted for its experiments in assonance. Benjamin Britten's celebrated War Requiem (1962) is a setting of Owen's poems.

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(born Feb. 28, 1865, Parkgate, Cheshire, Eng.—died Oct. 9, 1940, Charlotte, Vt., U.S.) English medical missionary. Having joined the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen, he initiated missionary service to the fishermen of Labrador and became absorbed in improving conditions there. He raised funds through speaking tours and books. When the Mission withdrew its support, he founded the International Grenfell Association, which helped found 6 hospitals, 4 hospital ships, 7 nursing stations, 2 orphanages, 2 large schools, 14 industrial centres, and a cooperative lumber mill in Labrador.

Learn more about Grenfell, Sir Wilfred (Thomason) with a free trial on Britannica.com.

(born March 18, 1893, Oswetry, Shropshire, Eng.—died Nov. 4, 1918, France) British poet. Owen was already writing verse before he enlisted in the army in 1915, but the experience of trench warfare brought him to rapid maturity; the poignant poems he wrote after January 1917 are full of anger at the cruelty and waste of war and pity for its victims. A week before the armistice, he died in action at age 25. His single volume of poems, published posthumously, is noted for its experiments in assonance. Benjamin Britten's celebrated War Requiem (1962) is a setting of Owen's poems.

Learn more about Owen, Wilfred with a free trial on Britannica.com.

(born Feb. 28, 1865, Parkgate, Cheshire, Eng.—died Oct. 9, 1940, Charlotte, Vt., U.S.) English medical missionary. Having joined the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen, he initiated missionary service to the fishermen of Labrador and became absorbed in improving conditions there. He raised funds through speaking tours and books. When the Mission withdrew its support, he founded the International Grenfell Association, which helped found 6 hospitals, 4 hospital ships, 7 nursing stations, 2 orphanages, 2 large schools, 14 industrial centres, and a cooperative lumber mill in Labrador.

Learn more about Grenfell, Sir Wilfred (Thomason) with a free trial on Britannica.com.