This anthology brings together the unpublished poetry of Jacob Bronowski (1908-74). One of the last great polymaths, Bronowski was prominent in the fields of philosophy, mathematics, history and literary criticism, and is perhaps best remembered today as the creator of the landmark BBC series, The Ascent of Man. His poetry offers a window into his life and times, covering a number of political and social contemporary issues, from the persecution of Jews in Nazi Germany, to war and injustice more broadly, to elegies for key cultural figures. The anthology is introduced with a foreword by Stephen Fry and an introduction by editor and compiler Simon Rennie, exploring the rich literary offering of the poetry and its humanistic approach to science and anti-fascism. This collection highlights the significance of Bronowski's work for a new age and from a range of scholarly perspectives: for literary scholars interested in modernist poetry, as well as Jewish literature; for historians of science and scientists interested in Bronowski's work and legacy; and for a more general informed readership familiar with Bronowski as cultural icon.

Jacob Bronowski (1908-74) was a Polish-British mathematician and philosopher, known for his humanistic approach to science and as the creator of the landmark BBC television series, The Ascent of Man (1973).

Simon Rennie is a literature professor at the University of Exeter, UK. While his specialism is Victorian poetry, he has broadcast and published on the work of Bronowski’s near contemporary, Anthony Burgess.