W. H. (William Henry) Davies

Born in Newport, Wales, in 1871, William Henry Davies left school young and spent years traveling as a vagrant in Britain and the United States. That experience shaped both his life and his writing, giving his poems a plainspoken honesty and close attention to people on the margins.

Davies became widely known for lyrics that are simple, musical, and easy to remember, often centered on nature, reflection, and the cost of modern busyness. Many readers first meet him through "Leisure," but his memoir The Autobiography of a Super-Tramp also helped define his reputation and remains one of the most vivid accounts of his wandering years.

Although his background was unusual for a literary figure of his time, he grew into one of the best-known poets of the early 20th century. He died in 1940, leaving behind work that still appeals to readers who like poetry that feels direct, humane, and quietly observant.