William Butler Yeats

William Butler Yeats was a towering figure in 20th-century literature, renowned for his profound poetry and his significant influence on the Irish literary revival. Born on June 13, 1865, in Dublin, Yeats was deeply inspired by Irish folklore and mythology, which permeated much of his work. He began his literary journey in the late 19th century, initially drawing from romanticism before evolving into a modernist master. Throughout his life, Yeats was fascinated by themes of love, politics, and the passage of time, all beautifully woven into his verses, making them resonate with readers across generations.

As a co-founder of the Abbey Theatre, Yeats played a pivotal role in shaping modern Irish drama. His tireless commitment to his homeland’s cultural identity is reflected in his poetry and plays. Yeats was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1923, recognizing his impact on the literary world. If you're curious about the depth of emotion and insight that Yeats offers, take a moment to explore his works in this app. Each poem and play invites you into a world of rich imagery and profound reflection that continues to inspire and captivate readers today.

The Celtic Twilight

Read by LibriVox Volunteers 4.3
I have desired, like every artist, to create a little world out of the beautiful, pleasant, and significant things of this marred and clumsy…

Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry

Read by LibriVox Volunteers 3.9
This is a collection of Fairy and Folk tales. The poet William Butler Yeats collected them from around the Western part of Ireland and trans…

The Tower

Read by LibriVox Volunteers 5
The Tower is a short collections of poems by William Butler Yeats published in 1928 not long after he received the Nobel Prize for Literatur…

W. B. Yeats Beautiful Lofty Things

4
Beautiful Lofty Things is a celebration of the life and work of Nobel Prize-winning poet William Butler Yeats, recorded live at the National…

John Sherman and Dhoya

Read by David Wales 4.1
John Sherman and Dhoya brings together two distinct yet thematically intertwined works by William Butler Yeats. In the novella John Sherman,…

In the Seven Woods

Read by Kasper 4.2
In the Seven Woods (1904) is Yeats's first twentieth-century poetry collection. Its fourteen poems show him moving steadily away from the de…

The Wanderings of Oisin

Read by Nathan 3.8
This narrative poem is composed in three parts, and consists of a dialogue between the aged Irish hero Oisín and St. Patrick. Oison r…

The Song of Wandering Aengus

Read by LibriVox Volunteers
LibriVox volunteers bring you eighteen different readings of The Song of Wandering Aengus, by Irish poet William Butler Yeats, to celebrate …

The Wind Among the Reeds

Read by LibriVox Volunteers 3.9
The Wind Among the Reeds is a collection of lyrical poems by William Butler Yeats, showcasing the rich tapestry of Irish mythology and folkl…

The Rose

Read by Kazbek 5
This recording of Yeats' second poetry collection follows The Collected Works in Verse and Prose of William Butler Yeats (1908), which place…

Crossways

Read by Kasper 4.2
The first collection by Irish-born poet William Butler Yeats. Many decades before his mysterious and austere Modernist verse earned him a No…

Responsibilities

Read by Kazbek 5
Responsibilities is a collection of poetry by W.B. Yeats, originally published in 1914 together with a play. The 1916 edition used for this …

The Wind Among the Reeds (Version 2)

Read by Newgatenovelist 5
The Wind Among the Reeds was first published in 1899 and features short, personal lyrics on subjects such as Irish legends and personal rela…

J. M. Synge and the Ireland of His Time

Read by Kyle James Maclean 5
William Butler Yeats recounts his experiences with friend and colleague, John Millington Synge. - Summary by Kyle James Maclean

The Wild Swans at Coole (Version 2)

Read by Peter Tucker 4.2
A collection of poems from the mid-career of this renowned Irish poet, the title poem referring to the estate of his friend and mentor, Lady…

The Secret Rose and Rosa Alchemica

Read by Ben Tucker 4.1
Celebrated poet and author William Butler Yeats has graced us, in The Secret Rose, with a hauntingly beautiful collection of mystical storie…

Easter, 1916

Read by LibriVox Volunteers 3.9
LibriVox volunteers bring you 4 recordings of Easter, 1916 by William Butler Yeats. This was the fortnightly poetry project for April 5th, 2…

In the Seven Woods (Version 2)

Read by Kazbek 5
In the Seven Woods is a collection of poems originally published in 1903. This recording follows The Collected Works in Verse and Prose of W…

The Wild Swans at Coole

Read by Nicole Lee 4.1
The Wild Swans at Coole is a poignant collection of poems by William Butler Yeats, first published in 1917. This work captures the essence o…

The Magi

Read by LibriVox Volunteers 3.7
LibriVox volunteers bring you 14 different recordings of The Magi, by William Butler Yeats to celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany. This was …

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