Friendship with Lawrence(1915-1916)

Abstract Whilst still at oxford, Philip had been introduced by Robert Nichols to D. H. Lawrence’s first three novels, The White Peacock, The Trespasser, and Sons and Lovers. The intensity and quality of Lawrence’s Love Poems and Others, published in 1913, had so impressed him that he wrote to Viva Smith saying that he was sending her ‘some of the most wonderful love poems in the world’.1 He also sent a copy of these poems to Delius, adding that he considered Lawrence’s novels unrivalled both in depth of insight and beauty of language. Writing to Viva about Sons and Lovers he used words such as ‘superb’, ‘amazing’, ‘a real masterpiece ... The style is most uncannily sure: every word rings true, every adjective, every phrase is so startlingly apt and precise. I hope to meet Lawrence soon, as I have discovered people who know him. No meeting could afford me greater pleasure or interest.’