Walter de la Mare (1873–1956) was an English poet, novelist, and short story writer, best known for his haunting explorations of the imagination, the supernatural, and the inner life of the mind. Born in Charlton, Kent, on April 25, 1873, he initially worked in the civil service while writing poetry under the pseudonym “”Walter Ramal.”” His first major success came with the poetry collection The Listeners and Other Poems (1912), which established his reputation as a master of mood and mystery.
De la Mare’s fiction, including novels like The Return (1910) and numerous short stories, often blends the eerie with the introspective, exploring psychological states and hidden realities. He was also a beloved writer of children’s literature, known for his sensitivity to childhood wonder and fear.
Awarded the Order of Merit in 1953 and knighted for his literary achievements, de la Mare remains a distinctive voice in English literature, admired for his lyrical prose, evocative imagery, and ability to conjure the uncanny in everyday life. He died in London on June 22, 1956.
