Siegfried Sassoon and his infamously decadent boyfriend, aristocrat/writer Stephen Tennant

Britain’s great poet, WWI hero, activist Siegfried Sassoon and his infamously decadent boyfriend, aristocrat/writer Stephen Tennant, the brightest of Britain’s “bright young things”. Sassoon was mentor to Wilfed Owen, friends with Robert Graves, Rupert Brooke, editor to EM Forrester and Otis Sitwell. Though he had many famous lovers before and after, Sassoon was depressed for months when Tennant suddenly ended the relationship. It would remain the most important in each of their lives. He would soon marry and have a son. Tennant, though having many partners, would never have another truly significant relationship. Though his beauty eventually faded, his unique charm and flamboyant lifestyle endeared him to the rich and famous for decades until his death at 81. Tennant was the inspiration or basis for a number of characters in 20th c. British literature.

Tolstoi not dead

Robert Burns

Robert Burns, also known as Rabbie Burns, the Bard of Ayrshire and various other names and epithets, was a Scottish poet and lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and is celebrated worldwide.

Oh for the breath of the briny deep,

Oh for the breath of the briny deep,
And the tug of a bellying sail,
With the sea-gull’s cry across the sky
And a passing boatman’s hail.
For, be she fierce or be she gay,
The sea is a famous friend alway.

A Sailor’s Song ~ Paul Laurence Dunbar

Rupert Brooke. Poet.

Peter Watson

Victor William (Peter) Watson (14 September 1908 – 3 May 1956) was a wealthy English art collector and benefactor. He funded the literary magazine, Horizon, edited by Cyril Connolly.

Walt Whitman and his male nurse Warren Fritzenger (July 1890)

Dressing