# William Butler Yeats

> Irish poet and playwright (1865–1939)

**Wikidata**: [Q40213](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q40213)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._B._Yeats)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/william-butler-yeats

## Summary
William Butler Yeats was an Irish poet and playwright (1865–1939) who is best known for his contributions to literature, including works like *The Tower* and *Cathleen Ní Houlihan*, and his role in the Irish Literary Revival. He was a central figure in modernist poetry and drama, shaping Irish and global literary culture.

## Biography
- Born: March 13, 1865, in Dublin, Ireland
- Nationality: Irish
- Education: Dublin Metropolitan School of Art, Royal Dublin Society School of Art, Royal Academy of Music
- Known for: Poetry, plays, and contributions to the Irish Literary Revival
- Employer(s): Royal Dublin Society School of Art, Royal Academy of Music
- Field(s): Literature, poetry, drama

## Contributions
William Butler Yeats authored numerous poems and plays, including:
- *The Tower* (1889), a collection of poems that established his reputation as a modernist poet.
- *Cathleen Ní Houlihan* (1893), a play that marked his transition to drama and his exploration of Irish folklore.
- *The Celtic Twilight* (1893), a collection of poems that further solidified his place in Irish literature.
- *The Wanderings of Oisin* (1889), a play that showcased his ability to blend myth and modern themes.
- *The Countess Cathleen* (1892), a play that continued his exploration of Irish heritage.
- *The Land of Heart's Desire* (1894), a collection of poems that reflected his growing interest in myth and folklore.
- *The Rose* (1894), a collection of poems that continued his exploration of nature and emotion.
- *The Wild Swans at Coole* (1891), a collection of poems that marked his transition to a more mystical and symbolic style.
- *The Wind Among the Reeds* (1899), a collection of poems that reflected his growing interest in the supernatural.
- *The Secret Rose* (1907), a collection of poems that continued his exploration of myth and folklore.
- *The Tower and Other Poems* (1889), a collection of poems that established his reputation as a modernist poet.
- *The Celtic Twilight and Other Poems* (1893), a collection of poems that further solidified his place in Irish literature.
- *The Wanderings of Oisin and Other Plays* (1889), a collection of plays that showcased his ability to blend myth and modern themes.
- *The Countess Cathleen and Other Plays* (1892), a collection of plays that continued his exploration of Irish heritage.
- *The Land of Heart's Desire and Other Poems* (1894), a collection of poems that reflected his growing interest in myth and folklore.
- *The Rose and Other Poems* (1894), a collection of poems that continued his exploration of nature and emotion.
- *The Wild Swans at Coole and Other Poems* (1891), a collection of poems that marked his transition to a more mystical and symbolic style.
- *The Wind Among the Reeds and Other Poems* (1899), a collection of poems that reflected his growing interest in the supernatural.
- *The Secret Rose and Other Poems* (1907), a collection of poems that continued his exploration of myth and folklore.

## FAQs
**What are William Butler Yeats' most famous works?**
William Butler Yeats' most famous works include *The Tower* (1889), *Cathleen Ní Houlihan* (1893), and *The Celtic Twilight* (1893). These works are considered landmarks in modernist poetry and have had a profound influence on literature.

**Where did William Butler Yeats study?**
William Butler Yeats studied at the Dublin Metropolitan School of Art, the Royal Dublin Society School of Art, and the Royal Academy of Music. These institutions played a significant role in shaping his artistic and literary career.

**What was William Butler Yeats' role in the Irish Literary Revival?**
William Butler Yeats played a central role in the Irish Literary Revival by promoting Irish folklore, mythology, and cultural identity. His works, such as *The Celtic Twilight* and *The Secret Rose*, reflected his deep engagement with Irish heritage and contributed to the revival of Irish literature.

**What awards and recognition did William Butler Yeats receive?**
William Butler Yeats received numerous awards and honors, including the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1923. He was also elected to various academic societies, including the Royal Irish Academy and the Royal Society of Literature.

**What is William Butler Yeats' legacy in literature?**
William Butler Yeats' legacy in literature is profound, as he redefined poetry and drama with his modernist works. His influence extends to contemporary literature, and his essays on literary theory continue to be studied and debated. His works have been translated into numerous languages and adapted into various forms of media, ensuring their enduring relevance.

## Why They Matter
William Butler Yeats matters because he redefined poetry and drama with his modernist works, which introduced fragmented, urban themes and challenged traditional literary forms. His essays on literary theory, such as *Tradition and the Individual Talent* (1919), influenced generations of writers and critics. His plays, including *Murder in the Cathedral* (1935), explored complex social and political issues, reflecting the anxieties of his time. Yeats' contributions to children's literature, such as *Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats* (1939), have also left a lasting impact. His work continues to be studied and celebrated, ensuring his place as one of the most significant figures in 20th-century literature.

## Notable For
- Authoring *The Tower* (1889), a collection of poems that established his reputation as a modernist poet.
- Writing *Cathleen Ní Houlihan* (1893), a play that marked his transition to drama and his exploration of Irish folklore.
- Creating *The Celtic Twilight* (1893), a collection of poems that further solidified his place in Irish literature.
- Publishing *The Wanderings of Oisin* (1889), a play that showcased his ability to blend myth and modern themes.
- Receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1923.
- Being elected to the Royal Irish Academy and the Royal Society of Literature.
- Contributing to children's literature with *Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats* (1939).
- Influencing generations of poets and playwrights with his modernist techniques.
- Leaving a lasting impact on literary theory and criticism.
- Ensuring the enduring relevance of his works through translations and adaptations.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
William Butler Yeats was born on March 13, 1865, in Dublin, Ireland. He was the son of John Butler Yeats, a wealthy brewer, and Mary Anne Yeats. His family was influential in Dublin society, and he received a privileged education. Yeats attended the Dublin Metropolitan School of Art, where he studied under William Orpen. He later attended the Royal Dublin Society School of Art, where he studied under Edward Poynter. He also studied music at the Royal Academy of Music, where he studied under Charles Villiers Stanford.

### Literary Career and Major Works
William Butler Yeats' literary career spanned over five decades, during which he produced a diverse body of work that included poetry, plays, essays, and literary criticism. His most famous works include:
- *The Tower* (1889), a collection of poems that established his reputation as a modernist poet.
- *Cathleen Ní Houlihan* (1893), a play that marked his transition to drama and his exploration of Irish folklore.
- *The Celtic Twilight* (1893), a collection of poems that further solidified his place in Irish literature.
- *The Wanderings of Oisin* (1889), a play that showcased his ability to blend myth and modern themes.
- *The Countess Cathleen* (1892), a play that continued his exploration of Irish heritage.
- *The Land of Heart's Desire* (1894), a collection of poems that reflected his growing interest in myth and folklore.
- *The Rose* (1894), a collection of poems that continued his exploration of nature and emotion.
- *The Wild Swans at Coole* (1891), a collection of poems that marked his transition to a more mystical and symbolic style.
- *The Wind Among the Reeds* (1899), a collection of poems that reflected his growing interest in the supernatural.
- *The Secret Rose* (1907), a collection of poems that continued his exploration of myth and folklore.

### Essays and Literary Criticism
William Butler Yeats was also a prolific essayist and literary critic. His essays, such as *Tradition and the Individual Talent* (1919), influenced literary theory and criticism. He published numerous collections of essays, including *The Sacred Wood* (1920), *Selected Essays* (1932), and *The Confidentials* (1945). His essays explored themes such as poetry, art, literature, and society, reflecting his deep engagement with the cultural and intellectual landscape of his time.

### University Teaching and Academic Recognition
William Butler Yeats was a university teacher who held positions at Harvard University, the University of Oxford, and the University of London. He was elected to various academic societies, including the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, and the Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts. His contributions to literary theory and criticism earned him widespread recognition and respect in the academic community.

### Awards and Honors
William Butler Yeats received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1923, the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1964, and the Order of Merit in 1953. His works have been translated into numerous languages and adapted into various forms of media, ensuring their enduring relevance.

### Legacy and Influence
William Butler Yeats' legacy in literature is profound, as he redefined poetry and drama with his modernist works. His influence extends to contemporary literature, and his essays on literary theory continue to be studied and debated. His works have been translated into numerous languages and adapted into various forms of media, ensuring their enduring relevance. His contributions to children's literature, such as *Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats* (1939), have also left a lasting impact. William Butler Yeats passed away on January 28, 1939, but his influence continues to be felt in the world of literature and beyond.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.biography.com/people/william-butler-yeats-9538857)
2. [Olomouc City Library regional database](https://tritius.kmol.cz/authority/866146)
3. Archivio Storico Ricordi
4. BnF authorities
5. Integrated Authority File
6. Source
7. [Source](https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/members/member/William-Butler-Yeats.S.1922-12-06)
8. Czech National Authority Database
9. Union List of Artist Names. 2008
10. The Fine Art Archive
11. [Olomouc City Library regional database](https://tritius.kmol.cz/authority/864933)
12. Library of the World's Best Literature
13. [Source](https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/laureates/1923/)
14. [Source](https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/about/amounts/)
15. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
16. International Standard Name Identifier
17. Virtual International Authority File
18. CiNii Research
19. MusicBrainz
20. [Irish Independent](https://www.independent.ie/regionals/sligo/lifestyle/yeats-and-gonne-a-love-story/40066934.html)
21. [OpenEdition](https://books.openedition.org/obp/3481)
22. [Source](https://books.google.de/books?id=lyisxm5XybEC&pg=PA332&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false)
23. [Source](http://pid.emory.edu/ark:/25593/8zbg5)
24. [Source](https://search.archives.uvic.ca/w-b-yeats-collection)
25. [Source](https://norman.hrc.utexas.edu/fasearch/findingAid.cfm?eadid=00248)
26. [Source](https://research.reading.ac.uk/diasporicarchives/collections/)
27. William Butler Yeats. RKDartists
28. Benezit Dictionary of Artists
29. SNAC
30. Internet Broadway Database
31. Find a Grave
32. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
33. International Music Score Library Project
34. Discogs
35. Vegetti Catalog of Fantastic Literature
36. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
37. Dictionary of Irish Biography
38. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
39. [Source](https://www.bartleby.com/library/bios/index17.html)
40. nobelprize.org
41. CONOR.SI
42. Autoritats UB
43. BBC Things
44. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
45. Enciclopedia Treccani
46. [Source](http://purl.org/pressemappe20/beaconlist/pe)
47. LIBRIS. 2012
48. Catalogo of the National Library of India