John McCrae

Canadian poet, physician, author, artist and soldier during World War I (1872-1918)

Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae (November 30, 1872January 28, 1918) was a Canadian poet and soldier in World War I who is best known for writing the poem "In Flanders Fields" after seeing the death of his friend the day before.[1]

John McCrae
Born(1872-11-30)November 30, 1872
Guelph, Ontario, Canada
DiedJanuary 28, 1918(1918-01-28) (aged 45)
OccupationPoet • physician • author • Lieutenant Colonel of the Canadian Expeditionary Force
Known forAuthor of "In Flanders Fields"

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

— Lt.-Col. John McCrae (1872–1918)
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  1. "The Early Years - Veterans Affairs Canada". Archived from the original on 2009-02-20. Retrieved 2021-01-20.