Brooke was the son of a schoolmaster at Rugby School. He was educated at Rugby and King's College, Cambridge, and had established himself as a poet and literary figure before the war. The circle in which he moved included writers, politicians and academics. He travelled extensively, sending poems and articles back from Europe, North America and the Pacific.

When war broke out Brooke joined a newly-formed unit, the 2nd Naval Brigade, Royal Naval Division, as a sub-lieutenant. He was present on the abortive expedition to Antwerp in October 1914, where he came under enemy fire. In the last months of that year he wrote the five 'war sonnets' that were to make him famous, including 'Peace' and 'The Soldier'. En route to the Dardanelles with the Hood Battalion in March 1915, he was taken ill in Egypt. Although weak, he continued to the Greek island of Skyros. An insect bite became infected and he died of blood poisoning on 23 April. He was buried that night in an olive grove on the island.

Rupert Brooke Society
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Tel: 01223 845 788