Trinity Poets: An Anthology of Poems by Members of Trinity College, Cambridge

by Angela Leighton (Editor), Adrian Poole (Editor)

For over six centuries, Trinity College, Cambridge (UK) has spawned more poets than any other institution. Now in this landmark anthology, literary giants including Herbert, Byron, Tennyson, Housman, Marvell, Dryden et al, sit alongside contemporary voices such as bestselling poet and crime writer Sophie Hannah, leading African poet Ben Okri, and Eric Gregory Award winner Jacob Polley, plus others. Past and present meet in a unique showcase of poets from one of the most distinguished and admired colleges in the world. The poems are accompanied by over a dozen illustrations.

420 pages, Paperback

Published July 1, 2017

Reviews

[Steph De Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This poetry anthology may not immediately strike one as a perfect Advent or Christmas read, but that’s just what it proved to be for me. Important among my personal memories of Trinity College, Cambridge are its annual Advent carol service, Christmas dinner in the dining hall, choral music, snow falling on the fountain in Great Court, and the shiver of excitement I’d feel at inhabiting the same spaces as some of my favourite English writers and poets.

“Trinity Poets” allowed me to settle into precisely that space of nostalgia and literary appreciation, and I thoroughly enjoyed both reciting some well-loved poems aloud, and making note of some new discoveries. I particularly like the biographical sketch that accompanies the selections from each poet’s oeuvre, detailing their lives and connection to Trinity. I also love the inclusion of several poems that illuminate each poet’s individual experiences and impressions of the College, and of Cambridge more generally. Finally, the editors strike a nice balance between showcasing lesser-known poets alongside literary heavyweights (e.g. Tennyson, Byron).

I’ll definitely revisit this collection in the future - it’s one to treasure.