The Transformation Review Contributors

Matthew Arnold (1822-1888) was a Victorian poet, critic, and Oxford Professor of Poetry whose "On Translating Homer" (1861) was an important contribution to translation theory. He argued translators must capture Homer's essential qualities—rapidity, plainness, and nobility—not just literal accuracy. His scathing critique of Francis Newman's translation sparked lasting debates. Beyond translation, Arnold championed cultural excellence in "Culture and Anarchy" and wrote enduring poetry including "Dover Beach," becoming one of Victorian England's most influential intellectuals.

Ross is a poet translator and co-editor of The Transformation Review

John Dryden (1631–1700) was an English poet, playwright, and critic. He served as Poet Laureate from 1668 until 1688, losing the position after converting to Catholicism and refusing to swear allegiance to William and Mary. His later years were especially productive in translation, including influential versions of Virgil, Juvenal, and Ovid. Dryden’s critical prefaces and essays were foundational to English literary criticism, particularly in their treatment of translation theory and poetic practice. His work bridges the Restoration and the early eighteenth century.

T.S. Eliot (1888-1965) was an American-born British poet, critic, and Nobel laureate who revolutionized modern poetry. His groundbreaking works include "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" and "The Waste Land," which defined literary modernism with their fragmented style and exploration of spiritual emptiness. He later wrote "Four Quartets" and the whimsical "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats," which inspired the musical "Cats." Awarded the Nobel Prize in 1948, Eliot remains one of the 20th century's most influential literary figures.

Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828–1882) was an English poet, painter, and founding member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. Celebrated for his richly sensual paintings and lyrical poetry, he also translated works by Italian poets, including Dante Alighieri, bringing medieval Italian literature to Victorian England. His own poems, such as The Blessed Damozel and Proserpine, explore love, beauty, and mortality, while his fusion of art and literature influenced both the Aesthetic and Symbolist movements.

Sara Burant’s poems, reviews, and collaborative translations of Paul Éluard’s poems have appeared in journals such as Ominverse, Pedestal, periodicities, Ruminate, and The Denver Quarterly. Her work has been honored with a fellowship from Oregon Literary Arts and a residency at Playa. She received an MFA in Poetry from Saint Mary’s College of California. She’s the author of a chapbook and an editor at The Transformation Review.