Camille Ralphs

John Clare’s tombstone in Helpston declares that ‘A poet is born not made,’ echoing sentiments expressed during his lifetime. In 1822 the Eclectic Review noted that ‘such a poet as John Clare, education could not have made, nor could adversity destroy’ – a challenge to fate if ever there was one. Clare was undoubtedly a victim of his circumstances, but those circumstances also afforded him a peculiar education.