Behind The Poem: "Invictus" by William E. Henley
The story of the man who wrote one of the world's most famous poems is just as inspiring as the composition itself
Before I officially published Classically Cultured, I pre-populated the site with some content that I never shared or emailed to readers (because I did not yet have any, lol). For one of the articles, I wrote about one of my absolute favorite poems of all time. I turn to it whenever I need a healthy dose of courage and inspiration. I decided to send it to you today in hopes it lifts your spirits over the weekend. I hope you enjoy the moving, enthralling story of writer William Henley and his amazing poem, ‘Invictus.’ You’re in for a treat if you haven’t yet discovered this gem.
“Out of the night that covers me
Black as pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.”*poem in full below
Victorian-era writer William E. Henley had a magnetic personality. With wavy, red hair and a commanding stature, he dazzled people with his jovial nature and striking wit. He had the type of energy that people gravitated towards. And it perplexed them, given that he maintained such an active lifestyle with only one leg and a lifetime spent battling complications from tuberculosis.
Grit and Courage
Henley lived during a time when the disease was common, and often fatal. And in Victorian-era Gloucester (where he was born) and London (where he resided in adulthood as a professional writer), hospitals didn’t house sanitary, softly lit hotel-inspired rooms. A stay in a Victorian era hospital often meant muggy, drab conditions in a dark room sporting dirty bed sheets from previous patients. Doctors would often come in to check on a patient still bloody from a prior procedure.
Henley was forced to spend a lot of time in hospitals. First when he was a child for tuberculosis treatments, then for his leg amputation when the disease spread to his extremities.
Though he spent plenty of time outside of hospital walls as a reporter and writer, within the musky rooms of infirmities is where he penned his best work.
Collections of poems like In Hospital show his melodic depth, often poignantly writing about resisting the urge to give in to fear and pain.
“And, although his knife was edgeless,
He was sinking fast towards one,
When they came, and found, and saved him.”
But his most famous poem, “Invictus,” was written during a lengthy stay in Edinburgh, Scotland while seeking pioneering treatments from one of medicine’s trailblazing figures, Joseph Lister.
Science Meets Art
Henley’s leg amputation happened when he was only 16 years old. Later in life, when he found out from a doctor his right leg would also need to be amputated, he sought a second opinion. Lister, known for his groundbreaking work in the budding field of surgery, agreed to work with Henley long term to try and save his leg through a series of surgical procedures. Henley spent three years under Lister’s care, undergoing countless surgeries that ultimately saved his leg.
It is during this time he wrote, “Invictus,” 16 lines that would go on to be one of Europe's (and America’s) most recited and popular poems.
The title (added later by editors) gives an immediate meaning to what’s to follow.
“Invictus” is latin for “unconquerable.” With that one word, the reader knows he’s about to embark on a courageous journey.
Here’s the poem in full:
Out of the night that covers me
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.In the fell clutch of circumstance,
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate
I am the captain of my soul.*Poem is in public domain
The poem itself paints a thrilling, poignant picture of fearlessness, determination, and bravery, known by many of the time it was written as “Victorian stoicism.” Americans sometimes call it having a “stiff upper lip.” But knowing the context behind the reasons it was written makes it all the more powerful.
Inspiration for Leaders and Fellow Writers
Not only did Henley have to muster up as much strength and courage as humanly possible to spend a lifetime battling a crippling disease, he did it with surprising poise and a loveable magnetism. Because of the virtuous way he tackled his sickness and all the obstacles that came his way due to it, he gave others an inspiring story that would give them comfort in times of great strife.
The poem’s legacy alone shows this. “Invictus” is in the public domain, which means it can be reprinted without permission. Because of this, countless individuals purchase copies of the poem to display in their homes, on their computers, and to keep as gentle reminders when they need to pull themselves up by their bootstraps.
The world’s most famous historical figures have recited lines of the poem during important addresses, including Winston Churchill during WWII when he needed to spark military support from both citizens and fellow diplomats.
Not only has the poem’s legacy proved to be enduring, but Henley himself was made of the stuff of legends.
One of his good friends, fellow writer Robert Louis Stevenson, was working on a new manuscript when he visited his colleague in the hospital. Despite his various exhausting procedures Henley met Stevenson with a firm handshake, cheerful smile, and his evergreen essence of bubbling energy. This floored Stevenson so much that he modeled one of his most famous characters after him, Long John Silver, a pirate in his classic novel Treasure Island.
Stevenson’s step son, Lloyd Osbourne, once described Henley in a letter:
"... [he’s] a great, glowing, massive-shouldered fellow with a big red beard and a crutch; jovial, astoundingly clever, and with a laugh that rolled like music; he had an unimaginable fire and vitality; he swept one off one's feet."
Henley’s young daughter Margaret would also serve as inspiration behind another iconic character, Wendy from Peter Pan.
A Lasting Legacy
It is amazing the comfort and reassurance that 16 lines can bring the human spirit.
“Invictus” is a short poem that packs a big punch and is steeped in realism so the reader doesn’t miss a beat.
With timeless themes of perseverance, hope, and rejuvenation, Henley’s classic written all the way back in 1875 remains a treasured poem in modern times.
Henley passed away at 53 but his spirit remains alive in works like “Invictus,” which continue to conquer the ever present test of time.