A clerihew is a whimsical four-line biographical poem with an AABB rhyme scheme, typically featuring a famous person’s name in the first line and presenting them in a humorous light.
Quick Facts
- When is it?: July 10th annually
- Tagged as: Literature, Writing, Famous People & Celebrities
- What’s the hashtag?: #ClerihewDay #NationalClerihewDay
- When was it founded?: 1905 (first published collection)
- Who founded it?: Edmund Clerihew Bentley
History
Edmund Clerihew Bentley invented this unique poetic form at age 16 while attending St Paul’s School in London. His first clerihew was about chemist Sir Humphry Davy, written during a science class. The form gained popularity through his published collections and influenced many notable writers, including W.H. Auden and Dorothy Parker.
Timeline
- 1875: Edmund Clerihew Bentley born in London
- 1905: Publication of “Biography for Beginners”
- 1929: “More Biography” published
- 1939: “Baseless Biography” published
- 1956: Bentley’s death
Dates by Next Year
| Year | Month | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | July | 10 | Thursday |
| 2026 | July | 10 | Friday |
| 2027 | July | 10 | Saturday |
| 2028 | July | 10 | Monday |
| 2029 | July | 10 | Tuesday |
How It’s Observed
People celebrate by attending poetry readings, writing their own clerihews, and reading collections of classic clerihews. Many organize poetry workshops and share their creations online.
Fun Facts About Clerihews
- They always have exactly four lines
- The first line must contain a person’s name
- The rhyme scheme is always AABB
- Line length and meter are deliberately irregular
- They’re meant to be humorous and light-hearted
Quiz
- Who invented the clerihew?
- How many lines does a clerihew have?
- What must the first line contain?
- What’s the rhyme scheme of a clerihew?
(Answers: 1. Edmund Clerihew Bentley 2. Four 3. A person’s name 4. AABB)
FAQs
- What makes a good clerihew? A good clerihew should be witty, biographical, and have forced rhymes
- Can clerihews be about living people? Yes, they can be about any person, living or dead
- Must clerihews be funny? Yes, humor is a key element of the form
Related
- National Poetry Month
- World Poetry Day
- National Limerick Day
- National Writing Day