The Golfer's Rubaiyat (eBook)

Henry Walcott Boynton, an American author from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, carved a niche for himself in the realm of literary pastiches with his whimsical work 'The Golfer's Rubaiyat' (1901). In this playful homage, Boynton adeptly captures the spirit of Edward FitzGerald's famous translation of 'Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam' while infusing it with the enthusiasm and idiosyncrasies of the burgeoning golf culture of his time. His adaptation of the Persian poetic form into an ode to the game of golf showcased both his appreciation of classical literature and his passion for the sport. Boynton's literary style often combined lighthearted humor with an undercurrent of earnestness, a reflection of the Edwardian era's societal leanings toward both leisure and propriety. Although 'The Golfer's Rubaiyat' remains Boynton's most recognized work, contributing to the broader genre of sports literature at the turn of the century, details regarding his broader literary contributions and personal life remain sparse. Nonetheless, through his unique blend of poetry and sport, Boynton has secured a quaint, though modest, footnote in the annals of American literary history.