A. E. Coppard (January 4, 1878 – January 13, 1957) was an English writer celebrated for his short stories, novels, and essays. Born in London, he experienced a diverse childhood marked by his family’s frequent relocations, which influenced his literary voice. Coppard began his career as a writer in the early 20th century, gaining recognition for his distinctive prose style and vivid depictions of rural life and human emotions.

His notable works include Winter’s Tales and The Plated Sea, showcasing his mastery of the short story format. Coppard’s writing often reflects themes of nature, love, and the complexities of human relationships. He was associated with the literary modernism movement and garnered praise from contemporaries like Virginia Woolf and Thomas Hardy.

A. E. Coppard Quotes

“Mothers are inscrutable beings to their sons, always.”
— A. E. Coppard

“Father was an atheist; he had even joined the Skeleton Army – a club of men who went about in masks or black faces, with ribald placards and a brass band, to make war upon the Salvation Army.”
— A. E. Coppard

“Dim loneliness came imperceivably into the fields and he turned back. The birds piped oddly; some wind was caressing the higher foliage, turning it all one way, the way home. Telegraph poles ahead looked like half-used pencils; the small cross on the steeple glittered with a sharp and shapely permanence.”
— A. E. Coppard