¶W.H. Davies, 1871-1940, lived his early adult life as a drifter and vagrant in the UK and USA before losing his leg in a train jumping accident in Ontario, Canada on his way to join the Klondike Gold Rush. He self published his first book of poetry The Soul's Destroyer in 1905, and sent copies to various wealthy and influential people in order to sell it. As a result he met writer and literary critic Edward Thomas, who became the most important supporter of Davies' career; this collection of poetry is dedicated to Thomas and his wife Helen.