W.B. Yeats - Parents

Susan Mary Pollexfen

Yeats's mother was Susan Mary Pollexfen, who was born on April 6, 1841 in County Sligo, Ireland. Susan's father, Henry Pollexfen, was a successful merchant and member of the local gentry. The Pollexfen family lived in a large house called "Pollexfen's Halls," which was located near the town of Sligo.

Susan was well-educated and had an interest in the arts, particularly literature and music. She married John Butler Yeats, a lawyer, on October 10, 1863 and the couple had four children together: William, Elizabeth, Susan Mary, and Jack.

Susan played a significant role in her children's upbringing and education, and she was particularly supportive of William's interest in literature and poetry. She encouraged him to read and write, and she often took him on cultural outings in Dublin, where they would visit art galleries, theaters, and libraries.

Susan Pollexfen Yeats died on February 5, 1900.

John Butler Yeats

Yeats's father was John Butler Yeats, who was born on August 11, 1839 in County Tipperary, Ireland. John's father, William Yeats, was a lawyer and member of the local gentry. The Yeats family lived in a large house called "Kilcash," which was located near the town of Clonmel.

John Yeats was educated at Trinity College in Dublin and later qualified as a lawyer. He married Susan Mary Pollexfen, a well-educated woman with an interest in the arts, on October 10, 1863 and the couple had four children together: William, Elizabeth, Susan Mary, and Jack.

John Yeats was a successful lawyer and was active in local politics. He was also an amateur artist and took up painting later in life. He was supportive of his son William's interest in literature and poetry, and often encouraged him to read and write.

John Yeats died on February 3, 1922, just a few months before his son was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.