Tag Archives: poetry

Verse and Victorian MPs: National Poetry Day 2014

Posted on October 2, 2014 by jowen1832

Poetry played an important role in Victorian political culture. From rhyming election squibs celebrating a prospective candidate, to Members of Parliament reciting classical verse in the Commons, political versifying was prevalent. To celebrate National Poetry Day, we offer a small … Continue reading →

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Parliamentarians and poetry: National Poetry Day 2013

Posted on October 3, 2013 by Kathryn Rix

On last year’s National Poetry Day our blog featured some celebratory verse from Harry Stephen Thompson, the newly elected Liberal MP for Whitby in 1859. ‘This is the Member for Whitby’, a pastiche of the nursery rhyme ‘The house that … Continue reading →

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Politics and poetry: a blog post for National Poetry Day 2012

Posted on October 4, 2012 by Kathryn Rix

The declaration of the result of the poll following a contested election could sometimes be a violent event. James Walker, the newly returned MP for Beverley in January 1860, suffered ‘a good many hard knocks’ when his procession away from … Continue reading →

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