Cecil Day-Lewis (1904-1972), Poet Laureate

Sitter in 51 portraits
Poet, critic and detective storywriter (as Nicholas Blake). Made his name with Transitional Poems (1929) and during the 1930s became associated with Auden and Spender in left-wing causes. During World War II worked for the Ministry of Information. Became Professor of Poetry at Oxford (1951-6) and was appointed Poet Laureate in 1968.