HENLEY, William Ernest, English poet, critic and journalist: b. Gloucester, 23 Aug. 1849; d. Woking, 12 July 1903. He entered on a journalistic career in London, and in 1877 be came first editor of the magazine London. He was then editor successively of the Maga zine of Art (1882-86), of the Scots—later the National Observer— (1888-93), and of the New Review (1893-98). His first publication, (In Hospital: Rhymes and Rhythms) (1888), was inspired by his own experiences as a patient in Edinburgh Infirmary. Its contents were sub sequently included in Book of Verses) (1.14::). A second volume of poems, (The Song of the Sword,) appeared in 1892 (2d ed., as (London Voluntaries,) 1893). Both of these books were incorporated in the collection of his 'Poems) (1898). Later poetical works were England's Sake) (1900) ; and and Lavender and Other Verses) (1901). Henley collaborated with Stevenson fourplays, (Deacon Brodie,) (Beau Austin) and (Admiral Guinea) and He also edited, either alone or in co-operation with others, the follow ing anthologies and collections: (Lyra Hero ica) (1891), an anthology of English patriotic verse; 'A London Garland: from Five Cen turies of English Verse) (1895) ; (Book of English Prose) (1896) ; (English Lyrics, 1340 (1897) ; (The Works of Lord Byron) (1897) ; Poetry of Wilfrid Blunt) (1896); and Types) (1898), and was editor of a series of The (Cen tenary Burns) (1896-97) is an important work edited by him with the co-operation of T. F.
Henderson. The fourth volume contains an elaborate estimate by Henley of Burns as poet and man, published separately in 1898. His critical work appears at its best in and Reviews: Literature) (1890), and and Reviews: Painting and (1901). Both as poet and critic he was prejudiced and aggressive, but keen, vigorous and often dis tinguished in style. A paper on Stevenson con tributed to the Pall Mall in 1901 aroused much unfavorable comment by its arraignment of Balfour's (Life.)