The Poet

Alfred Noyes was an English poet, best known for his poems "The Highwayman" and "The Barrel-Organ." Noyes attended Exeter College, Oxford, where he distinguished himself at the sport of rowing. Noyes had his first volume of verse appear in Loom of years, which was published in 1902. It was followed by epic poems such as the Drake 1908, and the Colorful Tales of the Mermaid Tavern in 1913.

In addition to his writing, Noyes worked as a professor of English literature at Princeton from 1914 to 1923. In 1925, Noyes converted to Roman Catholicism. Noyes later wrote The Unknown God in 1934, which was an account of his conversion.

Some later writings by Noyes include The Torch Bearers 1922-30, a trilogy on man's scientific accomplishments. Noyes also wrote a novel called The Sun Cure in 1929, and a biography of Voltaire 1938. Noyes' poems were published in 1950. Noyes was a literary conservative who incorporated traditional models in the structure and substance of his poetry.