Clere Parsons (1908 - 1931) was an English poet, born in India.[1] He was educated at Christ Church, University of Oxford,[1] and edited the 1928 edition of Oxford Poetry.
His only collection, Poems, was published after his death by Faber & Faber.[1] Both the Oxford University Press Anthology of Twentieth-Century British and Irish Poetry, and Penguin Books Poetry of the Thirties include selections from his work. Richard Burton in his 2013 biography of Basil Bunting, A Strong Song Tows Us,[2] states that "given the evidence of the 'Poems', (Parsons) would have been a significant voice in twentieth century poetry".
His work was influenced by that of W. H. Auden and Laura Riding,[1] and has been praised by Geoffrey Grigson and C. H. Sisson .[1]
Parsons had Type I diabetes, and died of pneumonia.[3]