Martin Bell

Who was Martin Bell?

Martin Bell, was an English poet born in Hampshire. He attended University College, Southampton, where he read for an external London Honours degree in English, followed in 1939 by a diploma in Education. He served from 1939 to 1946 with the Royal Engineers in Lebanon, Syria and Italy.

From the mid-1950s, Bell became a prominent member of The Group in London, having been introduced by Peter Redgrove following a chance meeting outside Chiswick Library. He regularly attended The Group's meetings until leaving for Leeds in 1967, and was influential in its workings. He was later described by Philip Hobsbaum as "much older than the rest of us, and much the best linguist;" and by Peter Porter as "the father and tone-setter of Group discussions." During this time, Bell held various teaching posts through London County Council; and worked as an opera critic for The Queen magazine, a post obtained through his friend Anthony Burgess. He was awarded the first Arts Council Poetry Bursary in 1964, enabling him to work part-time and allowing more time for writing.