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Robert Nichols (1893-1944) was an English poet, known for his vivid descriptions and profound exploration of the First World War experience. Born in Worcestershire, Nichols was educated at Winchester College and later entered Trinity College, Oxford. His university education, however, was interrupted by the outbreak of the First World War in which he served with distinction. The traumas and heroism of the trenches profoundly influenced his literary output. In 1917, Nichols published 'Ardours and Endurances', a poetry collection that showcased the grim realities of war offset by moments of romanticism and the pastoral. The addition of 'A Faun's Holiday & Poems and Phantasies' further demonstrated his eclectic style, blending mythological elements with contemporary themes. Nichols became part of a cadre of war poets, a peer to Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred Owen, who exposed the war's stark truths through the visceral medium of poetry. Influenced by Georgian poetry, Nichols's work is characterized by its emotional resonance, lyrical quality, and poignant reflections on human resilience and fragility. His literary contributions form a significant part of early 20th-century English poetry and remain studied for their historical and aesthetic insights into the era's defining global conflict.
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