D.H.Lawrence - English novelist and poetDavid Herbert Lawrence
English novelist and poet


  



David Herbert Lawrence 1885-1930

David Herbert Lawrence, better known as D.H.Lawrence the novelist, poet and painter, was born in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire in 1885, son of a miner.

His mother, Lydia Lawrence, whose family the Beardsalls had originally came from Wirksworth in Derbyshire, encouraged him to obtain an education. After attending a local Board School he won a scholarship to Nottingham High School. He left at 16 and found work as a clerk. In 1902 he left his office job and became a pupil teacher at a school in Eastwood. He then attended Nottingham University College where in 1908 he qualified as a teacher and went to work in Croyden.

The following year, Lawrence had some poems published in The English Review, whose editor also helped Lawrence to have his first novel 'The White Peacock' published. Sons and Lovers was published in 1913 and it established his reputation as a writer. In 1912 he eloped with Frieda Weekley, the German wife of a professor at Nottingham University and a cousin of Baron von Richthofen. They went to live in Cornwall but when unfounded accusations were made that they were spying for Germany, they were given notice to leave.

After brief spells in London and Berkshire they moved to Derbyshire in 1918 where they lived for 12 months at Mountain Cottage, on the outskirts of Middleton by Wirksworth. Here he wrote 'Wintery Peacock', a short romantic story about Ible, a small hamlet near to whee they were staying.

After Derbyshire they travelled extensively and 'The Kangaroo' was published after a stay in Australia, and 'The Plumed Serpent', in 1926, after living for several years in New Mexico.

Lawrence explored martital relationships in 'The Rainbow' and 'Women in Love', and in more explicit detail in 'Lady Chatterley's Lover' in 1928. It was printed privately in Florence and not allowed to be published in the Uk, until 1961.

Lawrence died of tuberculosis in France in 1930.




Return to Derbyshire People menu


picture of lawrence
Portrait of Lawrence
Birth place  of lawrence at Eastwood
Eastwood birth place of Lawrence


Derbyshire UK : Disclaimer