John Alexander McCrae (1872 - 1918) was a Canadian poet, physician, author, artist and soldier during World War I. He is best known for writing the famous war poem In Flanders Fields. In Flanders Fields has been labeled the most popular poem written during World War 1. McCrae wrote this poem in 1915 the day after his friend, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer died. The poppies referred to in the poem grew in abundance in Flanders Field where many war casualties had been buried. Now the poppy is a symbol of remembrance.