Hilaire Belloc 's literary reputation is currently in decline. Yet during his lifetime, he achieved great acclaim for his writings in a wide variety of genres. His contemporary fame was linked to that of G. K. Chesterton and the two of them attained major status in British letters during the period prior to World War I. Belloc 's career was both lengthy and prolific. Although he turned his hand to virtually every form of literature, he hoped that his lasting reputation would rest upon the foundation of his poetry. In retrospect it is tempting to look upon him as a literary jack-of-all-trades and master of none; however, when the final revaluation of his work is completed, his hopes for his poetry may well be vindicated.

Joseph Peter René Hilaire Belloc was born in Paris, the son of French barrister Louis Swanton Belloc and his English wife, Bessie...