Thomas Stearns (T.S.) Eliot (Sept. 26, 1888 — Jan. 4, 1965) was a major 20th century Modernist poet — plus essayist, publisher, playwright, literary critic, and editor. His most notable poems include “The Waste Land” (1922), “The Hollow Men” (1925), “Ash Wednesday” (1930), and “Four Quartets” (1943). Although allegations that he was an antisemite have been controversial (see “Critic’s Notebook” linked below), there is ample evidence in his own writing to label him a Jew-hater.
Quote: “The population should be homogeneous; where two or more cultures exist in the same place they are likely either to be fiercely self-conscious or both to become adulterate. What is still more important is unity of religious background; and reasons of race and religion combine to make any large number of free-thinking Jews undesirable.’
Sources: Wikipedia (introduction), The New York Times (quotation)
Learn more about T.S. Elliot on Wikipedia. You can scroll down to a section on antisemitism. ►
Watch “T.S. Eliot, Emanuel Litvinoff — anti-Semitism” [5:44]. ►
Read “Critic’s Notebook: Examining T. S. Eliot And Anti-Semitism: How Bad Was It?” ►
Photo: Thoughtco.com
We welcome your comments. Click here.
