H.D.

American poet and novelist

Born: September 10, 1886  ·  Died: September 27, 1961

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H.D.
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Overview

Founded

Her career began in 1911 after she moved to London and co-founded the avant-garde Imagist group of poets with American expatriate poet and critic Ezra Pound.

Legacy

became engaged to Pound and followed him to London in 1911, where he championed her work.

Legacy

Their relationship soon fell apart, however, and H.D.

Who was H.D.?

Hilda Doolittle (September 10, 1886 – September 27, 1961) was an American modernist poet, novelist, and memoirist who wrote under the name H.D. throughout her life. H.D. was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to wealthy and educated parents. Discovering her bisexuality, she had her first same-sex relationship while attending Bryn Mawr College between 1904 and 1906. Their relationship soon fell apart, however, and H.D. Her career began in 1911 after she moved to London and co-founded the avant-garde Imagist group of poets with American expatriate poet and critic Ezra Pound. During this early period, her minimalist free verse poems depicting Classical motifs drew international attention. Eventually distancing herself from the Imagist movement, she experimented with a wider variety of forms, including fiction, memoir, and verse drama.

English writer and poet Richard Aldington in 1931; he and H.D. married in 1913 but soon became estranged, divorcing in 1938.
English writer and poet Richard Aldington in 1931; he and H.D. married in 1913 but soon became estranged, divorcing in 1938.
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Historical significance

Reflecting the trauma she experienced in London during the Blitz, H.D.'s poetic style from World War II until her death pivoted towards complex long poems on esoteric and pacifist themes. After years of friendship, H.D. became engaged to Pound and followed him to London in 1911, where he championed her work.

H.D. at approximately age 36 in 1922
H.D. at approximately age 36 in 1922
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MLA

“H.D.” thisDay, thisday.info/people/h-d/. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

APA

H.D. (n.d.). thisDay. Retrieved October 3, 2026, from https://thisday.info/people/h-d/

Chicago

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