Basil Bunting was born, as he died, in the North East of England, and his personality and poetry were rooted there. He was, however, also widely travelled, and his poetry reflects many foreign influences. The poet's father came from Derbyshire and established himself as a well-respected doctor in Newcastle and its environs. His wife, the former Annie Cheesman, came from a family that included several colliery managers and agents. Their son was initially educated at a local Dame's school and then, by his own account, at the Royal Grammar School Newcastle, for two years. From 1912 to 1916 Bunting studied at Ackworth, a Quaker school in Yorkshire, and then, from 1916 to 1918, at Leighton Park, a Quaker school in Berkshire. Though showing si

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First published 21 March 2002

Citation: Pursglove, Glyn. "Basil Bunting". The Literary Encyclopedia. 21 March 2002.
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