Understanding the Era of W. H. Auden

The question asks about the historical period or century to which the famous poet W. H. Auden belonged. To answer this, we need to know his lifespan and place him within the context of world history and literature.

Wystan Hugh Auden, known as W. H. Auden, was a prominent Anglo-American poet. His life spanned from the early part of the 20th century to the latter half.

• W. H. Auden was born on February 21, 1907.
• He passed away on September 29, 1973.

Considering his birth and death dates, it is clear that the majority of his life, his entire literary career, and his major works fall within the years 1900 to 1999. This period is defined as the twentieth century.

W. H. Auden and Twentieth Century Literature

W. H. Auden is widely regarded as one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. His work significantly influenced the development of twentieth century literature, particularly poetry.

Let's look at the options provided:

• present century: The present century is the twenty-first century (starting from 2000). W. H. Auden died in 1973, well before this century began.
• nineteenth century: The nineteenth century covers the years 1800 to 1899. W. H. Auden was born in 1907, which is in the twentieth century.
• eighteenth century: The eighteenth century covers the years 1700 to 1799. This is much earlier than W. H. Auden's lifetime.
• twentieth century: The twentieth century covers the years 1900 to 1999. W. H. Auden was born in 1907 and died in 1973, placing his entire life and career within this century.

Therefore, W. H. Auden belonged squarely to the twentieth century. He was a key figure among modernist poets and English poets of that era.

Identifying the Correct Century for W. H. Auden

Based on the birth and death dates (1907-1973), the lifespan of W. H. Auden falls completely within the twentieth century. His contributions to English poets and twentieth century literature confirm his association with this era.

Thus, when asked about the W. H. Auden century, the correct answer is the twentieth century.