On William Ernest Henley

One of the SJI traditions is to memorize and be able to recite — smoothly — the poem "Invictus" by William Ernest Henley. I have stuggled in this task as much as anybody. Our fearless leader, Leon Carter, has told us if "Invictus" were a "hip to the hippitty hop" song, we'd be dancing down the street while singing it. I decided I might better be able to relate if I knew a little something about the author.

The following information is from a Princeton volume of modern biographies, and the article on Henley is by L. Cope Cornford.

Out of the night that covers me
Black as the Pit from pole to pole
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul

William Ernest Henley (1849-1903) was a British man who contracted tuberculosis when he was 12. By the age of 21, it was apparent that he would have to amputate his left leg below the knee and possibly his right as well. He sought the help of Joseph Lister, a surgeon who was looked down upon at the time, and the doctor was able to save the foot. However, Henley was forced to stay in the hospital for the next 20 months.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced, nor cried aloud
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed

So as the poet was bedridden, he made the most of it. He learned Spanish, Italian and German during his stay, and he wrote a volume of poems titled In Hospital about his experiences. The volume is considered his most famous, and it is also when he wrote "Invictus."

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid

Henley wrote for several British publications as a journalist and a poet, but most of them failed throughout his lifetime. Yet he managed to befriended several luminary authors of the era. One of his compatriots, Robert Louis Stevenson, based the character of Long John Silver in Treasure Island off of the hearty one-legged Henley.

It matters not how strait the gate
How charged with punishments the scroll
I am the master of my fate
I am the captain of my soul

Hopefully this post might provide brief insight into the creation and creator of the poem.