W. H. Auden, born Wystan Hugh Auden in York, England, on February 21, 1907, emerged from a family deeply rooted in both scientific and religious traditions. The youngest son of George and Constance Auden, he was nurtured in a home that valued intellectual discourse and liberal politics. Throughout his life, the mystical allure of the Church and a keen social consciousness profoundly influenced his poetry and personal journey.

Early Life and Education

Raised in an Anglo-Catholic household, Auden was enchanted by the "magic" of religious rituals, a fascination that lingered throughout his life. His father, a respected physician and academic, and his mother, a nurse, fostered a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment. Auden's education began at St. Edmund’s preparatory school when he was eight and continued at Gresham’s School from the age of thirteen, paving the way for his upper-middle-class upbringing.

Shift from Science to Poetry

Initially, Auden aspired to emulate his father by pursuing a career in science, with a specific interest in engineering and biology. However, during his time at Gresham’s, his passion for poetry took precedence. His first poem was published at the age of seventeen, hinting at the literary acclaim that awaited him. By 1925, he had entered Oxford, where he quickly garnered a loyal following and established a circle of future influential poets, including Stephen Spender, C. Day Lewis, and Louis MacNeice.

Post-Graduation Adventures and Influences

After graduating from Oxford in 1928, Auden embarked on the customary "Wanderjahr" of the English elite. Opting to spend this formative year in Berlin, he immersed himself in the vibrant and avant-garde culture of the Weimar Republic. Here, he encountered the politically charged works of Bertolt Brecht and the lively atmosphere of cabaret music, both of which left a lasting imprint on his work. This experience also deepened his appreciation for German literature, a passion that continued throughout his life.

Early Career and Literary Triumphs

Upon returning to England, Auden became a schoolmaster, teaching first in Scotland and then near Malvern, England. Concurrently, his literary renown grew, especially after the publication of his collection Poems in 1930, which confirmed his status as a leading poet of his generation. His dramatic works, such as Paid on Both Sides: A Charade, further solidified his reputation as an innovative writer.

Defining Periods of Auden's Life

Auden's life is often segmented into four distinct phases, based on his own reflections in the introduction to his Collected Shorter Poems, 1930-1944. The initial phase, up to 1932, marked his rise as an intellectually precocious student and poet. This period is sometimes referred to as his "Freudian phase," where his work explored personal fantasies and psychological depths, while also exhibiting a burgeoning awareness of social and political issues.

Political Engagement and Artistic Expression

The second phase of Auden’s life, spanning 1933 to 1938, saw a shift towards political activism, influenced by figures like Brecht and the decline of the Weimar Republic. His commitment to left-wing causes took him to Spain in 1937 to aid the Loyalist forces against fascism. Auden also co-founded the Group Theatre and collaborated on numerous plays with Christopher Isherwood, using the stage to voice his political convictions. His involvement in the General Post Office film unit allowed him to further engage with societal themes through cinema.

Transatlantic Transition and Introspection

Disillusioned with the political landscape in Europe, Auden relocated to the United States in 1939, entering the third phase of his life. In America, he served as a professor at various institutions, including the New School for Social Research and the University of Michigan. During the war years, Auden's focus...