By-Ways Round Helicon, A Kind of Anthology

Published in 1922 with an introduction by J. C. Squire, By-ways round Helicon: A Kind of Anthology is a curated collection that explores the lesser-known paths of English poetry. Instead of spotlighting the towering giants of literature, the anthology highlights lesser known poets and forgotten verses, with a particular emphasis on eighteenth-century poetry. This deliberate focus reflects a desire to look past the famous figures who had long monopolized public attention to appreciate an older, quieter era of verse. The anthology functions as a bibliographical treasure map, presenting readers with works and writers who had largely fallen out of fashion or print. By rescuing these verses from obscurity, the book provides a more nuanced, comprehensive view of Britain’s poetic heritage, honoring the smaller voices that sustained the literary traditions of their time.Iolo Aneurin Williams (1890-1962) was a multifaceted British writer, journalist, art historian, and Liberal Party politician. Educated at King’s College, Cambridge, his varied career included stints as the bibliographical correspondent for the London Mercury and the art and museums correspondent for The Times. Beyond his literary pursuits, Williams was a dedicated antiquarian and collector who spent his early years gathering traditional folk songs across the English countryside, and later built a highly regarded collection of early English watercolours. His lifelong commitment to archiving and evaluating overlooked arts made him a respected connoisseur of Britain’s cultural history