John Masefield

The author and poet John Masefield is one of Ledbury's most famous sons. He was born at the Knapp, in the Homend, in 1878. Although he left Ledbury as a young boy to join the Merchant Navy and travelled the world, the scenes of his childhood informed much of his writing.

One of his best known poems was 'Cargoes' which appeared in Salt-Water Ballads, his first collection of poetry published in London by Grant Richards in 1902. 

    Ivory and apes and peacocks,    Sandalwood, cedarwood, and sweet white wine.    Diamonds, emeralds, amethysts,    Topazes, and cinnamon, and gold moidores.    Tyne coal, road-rail, pig-lead,    Firewood, iron-ware, and cheap tin trays.

We have included a brief summary of his life and a list of his works. More information can be found on the John Masefield Society website.