Later Days

by W.H. Davies

A Pendant to The Autobiography of a Super Tramp. 'The self-portrait is given with disarming, mysterious and baffling directness, and the writing has the same disarmingness and simpleness' Observer

Hardcover

First published December 1, 1986

About the author

William Henry Davies was born in Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales. His father was, at the time a Publican. After an apprenticeship as a picture-frame maker and a series of labouring jobs, he travelled to America, first to New York and then to the Klondike.

He returned to England after an accident whilst jumping a train in Canada, he lost a foot. Upon his return to Britain he led a poor, hard life living in London lodging houses and as a pedlar in the country. He married in 1923, Emma, who was much younger than he. His first poems were published when he was 34.

Most of his poetry is on the subject of nature or life on the road and exhibits a natural simple, earthy style. He also wrote two novels and autobiographical works, his best known being Autobiography of a Super-Tramp

He died in 1940.

Reviews

[David Lumpkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy the writings of W. H. Davies and this book does not disappoint. This tale continues from the Autobiography of a Super Tramp and is about the humble and gentle man that spent years as a tramp through the US and UK, then became famous for his poetry. While his friends and acquaintances become well know literary and social names, his modest temperament is not exalted. The story is quite interesting, especially knowing his past from Super Tramp.