National Clerihew Day

Every year on July 10, poetry lovers celebrate National Clerihew Day. This whimsical holiday honors the poetic form created by English humorist and writer Edmund Clerihew Bentley. Clerihews are short, four-line biographical poems known for their clever wordplay and humorous tone.

History

Edmund Clerihew Bentley was born in 1875 and wrote his first clerihew at the age of 16. The subject of his first poem was a critique of “vile sauce.” Bentley later established the rules for this unique poetic style: the poem must have four lines, the first of which contains the name of a person; the rhyme scheme is AABB; and most importantly, it should be funny or surprising. Other notable writers, including Gavin Ewart, William Hazell, and Paul Ingram, also contributed to this playful poetic form.

Interesting Facts

• In 1905, Bentley’s collection Biography for Beginners was published, popularizing the clerihew format.
• The oldest known poem, written over 4,000 years ago, comes from ancient Mesopotamia.
• Metrophobia is the fear of poetry.

How to Take Part

Celebrate this day by attending a poetry reading or hosting one of your own. Try writing a clerihew—choose a well-known figure, come up with two pairs of rhymes, and add a humorous twist. Share your creation with friends or post it on social media. You can also organize a clerihew contest with children or coworkers to encourage creativity and laughter. For extra inspiration, read a few of Bentley’s original works or explore modern takes on the form.

When is National Clerihew Day in 2025?

National Clerihew Day is observed on July 10 each year.

Observations