William Watson was an English poet popular for celebratory content, eulogies, and idealism. His book of sonnets, “The Purple East,” was an attempt to bring attention to Britain’s lack of intervention in the Armenian massacres of 1895. Although his views were not always well-received, he was regarded as a sincere and passionate poet. In this video, Curator Gary Lind Sinanian displays a special edition of this book and others by Sir Watson in our collection.