Final answer:
The claim that Phil Ochs wrote "The Highwayman" is false; the poem was written by Alfred Noyes, an English poet. Phil Ochs was an American protest singer and songwriter. Correct attribution is essential in studying English literature.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that Phil Ochs is an English poet who wrote "The Highwayman" is False. The Highwayman is actually a poem written by Alfred Noyes, an English poet born in 1880. Phil Ochs was an American folk singer and songwriter who became popular in the 1960s for his topical protest songs. The confusion might arise from the fact that Phil Ochs has a similarly lyrical and narrative style in his lyrics, but he is not the author of the poem in question.
The poem The Highwayman was published in 1906 and it narrates the romantic and tragic story of a highwayman who falls in love with an innkeeper's daughter named Bess. Alfred Noyes creates a vivid setting and dramatic narrative through his rhythmic verses, which has made the poem highly popular and often studied in the English literature curriculum.
Understanding who wrote a particular piece of literature is important when studying English literature and when recognizing the contributions of various poets and writers throughout history. Alfred Noyes' work, including The Highwayman, plays a role in the canon of English poetry and literature.