Austin, Alfred (1835–1913)

English poet. His satirical poem The Season (1861) was followed by plays and volumes of poetry little read today. The Garden that I Love (1894) is a prose idyll. He was poet laureate 1896–1913.

Austin was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, and educated at London University. He became a barrister 1857, but within a few years turned to literature, his first success being The Season. This was strongly attacked and he retorted with another satire on his assailants. He published many indifferent works in prose and verse, including tragedies, lyrics, poems on historical persons and events, and, above all, poetry and prose describing nature.

He had a considerable place in journalism, as a leader writer and correspondent, and was for some years editor of the National Review. After the death of Lord Tennyson in 1892, the selection of poet laureate, which aroused much controversy, was left until 1896, when Austin was appointed.