Blunt, Wilfrid Scawen (1840-1922), was an English author known for his opposition to British imperialism and his sympathy for oppressed nations. Blunt was a diplomat from 1858 to 1869, when he retired after his marriage to Lady Annabella King-Noel. The couple traveled widely throughout North Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. In his books, he supported independence from the United Kingdom for Egypt, India, and Ireland. His writings included The Future of Islam (1882), Ideas About India (1885), and The Secret History of the English Occupation of Egypt (1907). Blunt’s poetry includes Sonnets and Songs by Proteus (1875), his first verse collection; Love Sonnets of Proteus (1881); and the sonnet sequence In Vinculis (1899).
Blunt was born on Aug. 17, 1840, in Petworth, West Sussex. Poetical Works, a complete edition of his poetry, was published in 1914. A two-volume My Diaries (1919, 1920) describes Blunt’s friendships with many of the most famous English writers of his day. Blunt died on Sept. 12, 1922.
