Cecil Day Lewis was an Irish poet and writer, later Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom. He is most remembered today for his own lyric poetry, his detective fiction written under the pseudonym Nicholas Blake, and for being the father of actor Daniel Day-Lewis.
His early poetry, influenced by W. H. Auden, is marked by a strong left-wing political stance and the use of simple language and imagery. This made his work accessible to a wide audience, furthering his standing as one of the prominent poets of the 1930s. This period in English poetry is often referred to as the Auden generation. Like other poets of this era, Day Lewis explored themes of social justice, class struggle, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world.
Later, Day Lewis's work shifted towards more personal and reflective themes, particularly as he took on the role of Poet Laureate in 1968. His later poetry demonstrates a deep engagement with nature, mythology, and the complexities of human relationships. His style evolved over time to incorporate more traditional forms and techniques, while still retaining the accessibility and directness that characterized his earlier work. He translated Virgil's Aeneid and wrote extensively on poetry, including an influential study of The Poetic Image.