Peter Levi

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Peter Levi (1931-2000) was a complex figure in twentieth-century Oxford, raised as a Catholic despite his Jewish heritage. He entered the Jesuit order in his youth but left at 45 to marry. During his Jesuit training, he became part of an intellectual elite at Campion Hall, where he honed his poetic voice, producing his first collection, *From the Gravel Ponds*, which was recognized by the Poetry Book Society in 1960. His literary pursuits often clashed with Jesuit discipline, leading to tensions with his superiors. In 1963, after being denied ordination due to rule violations, he traveled to Greece, where he fell in love with the culture and formed bonds with Greek poets. As a classics tutor at Campion Hall from 1965 to 1977, he captivated students, though he preferred the warmth of Greece during winter. A staunch supporter of the resistance against the Greek junta, he faced bans from the country and later produced a documentary on the regime's atrocities. After leaving the Jesuits, he wrote various works, including autobiographies and translations, while teaching casually. Elected Oxford Professor of Poetry in 1984, he passionately shared his admiration for poets like Shakespeare and Larkin. This biography delves into Levi's friendships with notable figures and connects his poetic evolution to a rich emotional life, where love ultimately triumphed over religious constraints.