15 Facts About Ernest Dowson

Ernest Christopher Dowson was an English poet, novelist, and short-story writer who is often associated with the Decadent movement.

Ernest Dowson was born in Lee, then in Kent, in 1867.

Ernest Dowson's great-uncle was Alfred Domett, a Prime Minister of New Zealand.

Ernest Dowson led an active social life, carousing with medical students and law pupils, visiting music halls, and taking the performers to dinner.

Ernest Dowson was a member of the Rhymers' Club, and a contributor to literary magazines such as The Yellow Book and The Savoy.

Ernest Dowson collaborated with Arthur Moore on two unsuccessful novels, worked on a novel of his own, Madame de Viole, and wrote reviews for The Critic.

Later in his career Ernest Dowson became a translator of French fiction, including novels by Balzac and the Goncourt brothers, and Les Liaisons dangereuses by Choderlos de Laclos.

In 1889 Ernest Dowson became infatuated with an 11-year-old girl, Adelaide "Missie" Foltinowicz, the daughter of a Polish restaurant-owner.

In 1891 Ernest Dowson converted to Roman Catholicism and in 1893 he proposed to Foltinowicz, who was then aged 15.

Ernest Dowson rejected his proposal and later married a tailor.

However, in 1897 Ernest Dowson returned to London to live with the Foltinowicz family.

Sherard took him to his cottage in Catford, where Ernest Dowson spent his last six weeks.

On 23 February 1900 Ernest Dowson died in Catford at the age of 32.

Ernest Dowson was interred in the Roman Catholic section of Brockley and Ladywell Cemeteries in London.

Ernest Dowson is best remembered for three phrases from his poems:.