Rudyard Kipling

Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) was an English poet (born in India, which was a British colony at the time) and writer of children's books who spent some time living in Vermont. He authored Captains Courageous and The Jungle Books. He won an early Nobel Prize for Literature, in 1907.

He wrote in the Ballad of East and West:

"Oh, East is East, and West is West,
And never the twain shall meet,
Till earth and sky stand presently,
At God's great judgment seat"

Kipling's other writings included Kim, Wee Willie Winkie, Gunga Din, and Baa Baa Black Sheep.

President Ronald Reagan had this to say about Rudyard Kipling near the very end of Reagan's presidency, "As I prepare to lay down the mantle of office...I cannot help believe that what Rudyard Kipling said of another time and place is true today for America: 'We are at the opening verse of the opening page of the chapter of endless possibilities.' Thank you, and God bless you."