Merton
Merton is a village lying in the
Brecklands - a couple of
miles south of Watton. The poet and translator Edward FitzGerald (1809-1883) died in the
Old Rectory at Merton (actually located in nearby
Thompson) in 1883 while visiting his friend
George Crabbe (the grandson of the poet). However,
his body
was taken back to Suffolk and is buried in Boulge
churchyard next to other members of his family.
Fitzgerald is best remembered for his free translation
of The Rubáiyát of Omar
Khayyám.
In chapter 8 of The Rings of
Saturn W.G. Sebald mentions FitzGerald's death in
some detail and it also contains a copy of a rare
photograph of the poet.
Edward FitzGerald |
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by Norfolk Tourism