The Hound of Heaven and Other Poems

“The Hound of Heaven and Other Poems” is a collection of poems by famed English poet Francis Thompson. Generally regarded as the most important modern Catholic poet, Thompson achieved critical and commercial success with his volumes of poetry and prose during his relatively short and troubled life. Born in Lancashire, England in 1859, Thompson studied medicine at the behest of his father for several years before quitting to pursue a literary career. Destitute, living on the streets, and addicted to opium, he was rescued by a married couple who were publishers and recognized his talent and the literary value of his work. Thompson went on to publish three volumes of poetry along with several essays and works of prose before his death in 1907. “The Hound of Heaven” is his most famous and enduring poem and its powerful imagery has inspired countless other artists and writers, including J. R. R. Tolkien, who counted Thompson amongst the most important influences on his writing. Included in this volume is a comprehensive selection of his poetry.