Robert Bridges (1844-1930) was a poet, but trained and worked as a doctor until 1882, when a lung condition forced him to retire. After this he devoted himself to literary research and writing poetry. He was appointed Poet Laureate in 1913 and held the position until his death in 1930. He was also a member of the Order of Merit. Bound by Bumpus of Oxford in blue goatskin, with intertwined 'A's tooled in gold on the front board, indicating the book was the private property of Queen Alexandra, the consort of Edward VII. Bridges compiled this popular anthology 'The Spirit of Man' for soldiers and civilians during the First World War. His son Edward was posted to the western front in 1915, and invalided home in 1917.