William C. (William Charles) Braithwaite

William Charles Braithwaite was an English poet, literary critic, and anthologist born in 1862 and died in 1922. Alongside his own writing, he became known for his work as an editor and guide to contemporary poetry, helping readers navigate the changing literary scene of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

He is particularly associated with influential poetry anthologies, including The Book of Elizabethan Verse and The Book of Georgian Verse. Those collections gave lasting visibility to both earlier English poetry and the newer voices of his own era, and they remain a big part of why his name is remembered.

Braithwaite's reputation rests less on fame as a single bestselling author and more on his role as a careful literary tastemaker. For listeners interested in poetry history, he stands out as someone who helped preserve and present the tradition for future generations.