IRV APXYGMN XLBLJD….. (Please refer to your newspaper for complete puzzle.)
TODAY’S ANSWER:
ANSWER: HOW BRAVELY AUTUMN PAINTS UPON THE SKY THE GORGEOUS FAME OF SUMMER WHICH IS FLED! —THOMAS HOOD
Thomas Hood
May 23, 1799 – May 3, 1845 • aged 45 • English Poet & Humorist
✒️ Poetry With Two Sides
Thomas Hood was an English poet, humorist, and editor who could move easily between playful comedy and serious social commentary. He became known for clever puns and comic verse while also writing compassionate poems about poverty and difficult working conditions.
🏙️ London Beginnings
Hood was born in London into the family of a bookseller and publisher. As a young man he trained as an engraver, an experience that gave him a background in both words and visual art before he established himself in London’s literary world.
📚 London Magazine
Hood became associated with The London Magazine, eventually serving as a subeditor. The publication brought him into contact with prominent writers of the period and helped launch a literary career that included poetry, humorous writing, journalism, and editing.
🧵 The Song of the Shirt
One of Hood’s most famous works was “The Song of the Shirt,” published anonymously in Punch in 1843. The poem portrays the exhausting life of a poorly paid seamstress and drew widespread attention to the harsh conditions faced by working women.
😄 A Love of Wordplay
Hood had a particular talent for puns and verbal tricks. Collections such as Whims and Oddities showcased his comic side, and his humorous writing made him popular with readers who enjoyed the playful language that contrasted sharply with his more serious poetry.
🍂 Remembered in Verse
Hood died in 1845, shortly before his 46th birthday. His poetry continued to be read for both its humor and its humanity, with works including “The Bridge of Sighs,” “I Remember, I Remember,” and “November” helping preserve his place in English literature.
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