By his contemporaries, George Barker was often described as a peculiar writer, who cannot be put into any specific box. His autobiography, written by Robert Fraser is fittingly called "The Chameleon Poet". While he is often associated with the literary group of the New Apocalyptics, shunning realistic poems and delving deep into mythical and surrealistic themes, he was a more multifaceted author than other poets in this group.
His life started in the early 20th century in Britain with a British father and an Irish mother. Never really finding his way, he left school early and meandered through different careers till he finally stuck with being a writer. His earlier works, like "Calamiterror", while fantastic and full of allegory, already showed his more political side by subtly criticizing the fascist regime which gained power in Spain. This political interest would also, later in life loose him a job at a Japanese university when tensions before the Second World War became too much to bare. He consequently moved to America, started his almost lifelong affair with Elizabeth Smart and moved back to England in 1943, where he stayed till his death. Overall, he had 15 children with multiple women.
From this short description of his life, the many different influences on George Barker's life are evident. His style can not be clearly pinpointed. Works like the "Pacific Sonnets", written during his time in Japan differ widely from much later works like "At Thurgarton Church". His life was eventful and this might be the best way to describe his poetry, eventful.
