BINYON, Robert Laurence

Robert Laurence Binyon (1869-1943), known as Laurence, was an elder brother of Charles Binyon.  He was a dramatist, art scholar and poet, best known for his most famous work, “For the Fallen”.

Laurence Binyon was born on 10th August 1869 at Lancaster, the second of nine children of the Reverend Frederick Binyon and his wife, Mary (née Dockray).  Four of his siblings died in infancy leaving him as the second eldest of five brothers.  

Laurence attended St Paul's School, London, then went on to study Classics at Trinity College, Oxford.  In 1893 he began working in the Department of Printed Books at the British Museum, moving to the Department of Prints and Drawings in 1895. He was made assistant keeper of Prints and Drawings in 1909 and in 1913 was placed in charge of the newly established Department of Oriental Prints and Drawings at the British Museum.  

Moved by the casualties of the British Expeditionary Force in 1914, Laurence wrote “For the Fallen”, which is often recited at Remembrance Sunday services.  In 1915 he volunteered as a hospital orderly in France and afterwards worked in England, helping to take care of the wounded of the Battle of Verdun.  After the war, he continued his career at the British Museum, writing numerous books on art.

Laurence married Cicely Margaret Pryor Powell on 12th April 1904 at Marylebone, London.  They had three daughters:  Agatha Margaret Eden (1904-1987), Helen Francesca Mary (1904-1979) and Nicolete Mary (1911-1997).

Laurence died on 10th March 1943 in a Reading nursing home and was buried at St Mary’s Church, Aldworth, Berkshire.  Cicely died at Streatley, Berkshire, in 1962.