Basil Cheesman Bunting, a celebrated figure in 20th-century poetry, was born in Scotswood-on-Tyne, Northumberland, on March 1, 1900. Raised in a Quaker family, he cherished the Briggflatts Meeting House, a historic site built by Friends in 1675. Known for his resistance to the draft at eighteen, Bunting's subsequent imprisonment profoundly influenced his literary journey.

Early Life and Education

From a young age, Bunting's Quaker upbringing played a significant role in shaping his worldview. His refusal to be drafted into military service landed him in Wormwood Scrubs Prison for a year, where he endured tough conditions. These experiences later resonated in his poem “Villon” (1925). After his release, Bunting pursued studies at the London School of Economics, marking the beginning of his formal education in literature and economics. It was during this period that he began crafting Imagist poetry, drawing inspiration from notable figures such as Ezra Pound and T.S. Eliot. While his initial works bore the hallmark of Pound’s influence, his later interactions with Eliot in the mid-1920s added depth to his poetry.

Years Abroad and Literary Ventures

In 1923, Bunting embarked on a journey that would see him spend much of his life outside England. Relocating to Paris, he soon followed Pound to Rapallo, Italy, where the two poets formed a strong bond. During his time in Rapallo, Bunting met Marian Culver, an American whom he married and with whom he had three children. Although their marriage ended in 1935, this period was crucial for Bunting's development as a poet.

Professional Pursuits and Artistic Collaborations

By the late 1920s, Bunting briefly served as a music critic for The Outlook in London before returning to Italy, where he lived until 1933. In Rapallo, he and Pound collaborated on the Active Anthology, which showcased some of Bunting’s earliest poems, steeped in Poundian style. The 1930s saw Bunting living in the United States and working as a yacht captain, navigating the Mediterranean and transatlantic waters. The looming threat of World War II, marked by the ascent of Adolf Hitler, shifted his pacifist views, prompting his return to England in 1939 to join the Royal Air Force.

War Years and Middle Eastern Influence

During World War II, Bunting’s linguistic prowess led to his deployment in Iran, serving in the Intelligence sector. After the war, he chose to remain in Iran, working as a correspondent for The Times. This period deeply impacted his literary works, with Middle Eastern experiences vividly depicted in his poem The Spoils, penned in 1951 yet published in 1965. In 1948, he married Sima Alladadian, an Iranian, further entwining his life with the region.

Academic Contributions and Later Life

Bunting’s later years were marked by significant academic contributions. In the mid-1960s, he was brought to the University of California, Santa Barbara, thanks to the efforts of Pound critic Hugh Kenner. There, he lectured until he accepted a position at the University of Durham in England. Upon retiring, Bunting returned to Black Fells Village in Northumberland, ending his life journey where it began. Bunting passed away in Hexham, England, in 1985, leaving behind a rich legacy of poetry and insights drawn from his diverse life experiences.