Everard Meynell had a unique advantage when writing this biography: he was the son of Alice Meynell, the poet who, with her husband, rescued Francis Thompson from destitution. This book comes from inside the story.

The Story

This book follows Francis Thompson from his childhood, where he failed to become a doctor as his father wished, to his years lost in the depths of London. Addicted to opium and sleeping on the streets, he somehow kept writing. His poetry, sent to a magazine in desperation, was discovered by the Meynells. They brought him in, cared for him, and helped publish his work, including his famous poem 'The Hound of Heaven.' The biography charts this incredible rescue and the fragile, productive years that followed, before his early death from tuberculosis.

Why You Should Read It

What makes this book special is its closeness. Meynell writes with a quiet respect, not hiding Thompson's flaws but treating his struggles with dignity. You get a real sense of the man—his shyness, his faith, his torment. It’s less about analyzing poetry and more about understanding the person who wrote it. The portrait of late-Victorian literary London, and the kindness that existed within it, is just as compelling as the main story.

Final Verdict

Perfect for readers who love true stories about artists, or anyone interested in the hidden lives of Victorian London. If you've ever wondered about the person behind great art, this is a moving, personal, and surprisingly accessible window into a tragic but luminous life.