Robert Frost was a poet and one of the most recognized American poets of the twentieth century. He was born in San Francisco on March 26, 1874 to Isabelle Moody and William Prescott Frost Jr. During his early childhood, Frost lived in California and Maryland, but in 1885, the family moved to Lawrence, Massachusetts, which would eventually become Frost’s most beloved home.
Frost began writing poetry in high school and attended Dartmouth College for two months in 1892 until he was asked to leave due to poor academic performance. For the next decade, he worked odd jobs to support his family and continued to write poetry in his spare time.
In 1912, Frost’s first book of poetry, A Boy’s Will, was published and was later followed by two more books: North of Boston in 1914 and Mountain Interval in 1916. Frost became increasingly popular leading up to the 1920s and eventually gained fame that extended to Europe.
In the 1920s, Frost devoted more and more of his time to giving public readings and lectures. He also continued to publish poetry and, in 1923, received his first Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. Frost continued to write and won a second Pulitzer in 1931 for Collected Poems. Although he initially refused to accept the award believing he had not accomplished enough, he eventually accepted the prize in 1937. By this time, Frost no longer resided in Lawrence but instead moved to South New Hampshire with his wife and children.
Frost continued his public readings and lecturing throughout the 1930s and 1940s. Notable publications during this era included West-Running Brook in 1928 and A Further Range in 1936. He was also honored by President Eisenhower with a Congressional Gold Medal in 1960. By 1962, Frost had become a living legend and was given the distinction of Poet Laureate of Vermont.
In 1963, Frost experienced a decline in health, and in January of the same year he passed away in Massachusetts. The last few years of his life were spent in Florida with his daughter Lesley, who took care of him until the end. Even today, Robert Frost is remembered for his profound poetry, insightful wit, and ability to evoke memories and emotions.
Family Life
Robert Frost was born in San Francisco to Isabelle and William Prescott Frost Jr. He had two older brothers, but his sister Elinor tragically died of tuberculosis at an early age. After living in California and Maryland, the family eventually relocated to Lawrence, Massachusetts. As a child, Frost was very close to his father who helped him write poetry in addition to teaching him about nature. Frost married Elinor Miriam White in 1895 and the couple had six children together. Some of his children helped to inspire his writing, including two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lesley Frost.
Career in Poetry
Frost began writing poetry in his teenage years while attending Lawrence High School. He then attended Dartmouth College for two months before a lack of funds and dismal academic performance necessitated his return home. During the next decade, Frost wrote poetry and ran a poultry farm with his wife, although an inability to make ends meet caused Frost to contemplate suicide early in his career. However, Frost was eventually able to publish his poetry in various magazines and his first three books; A Boy’s Will in 1912, North of Boston in 1914, and Mountain Interval in 1916. By the end of the decade, Robert Frost was one of America’s most recognized poets and his work spread across the Atlantic to Europe.
Public Lectures and Readings
Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, Frost was heavily engaged in giving public readings and lectures at college campuses, preforming arts centers, churches, theaters, and radio stations. He occasionally gave commissioned readings of his poetry, such as at the inauguration of President Kennedy in 1961. In 1960, he was presented with the Congressional Gold Medal from President Eisenhower. From 1962 to 1963, Frost was made Poet Laureate of Vermont and even created an annual film about the state’s history for the National Film Board of Canada.
Fame Across the World
Robert Frost became increasingly well-known and widely admired outside of the U.S. while attending lectures in countries such as England and France. He was awarded numerous honorary degrees from institutions around the world and was the first U.S. poet to appear on the cover of Time Magazine. During the 1950s and 1960s, Frost published a few more books and his work was also translated into various languages including French and Spanish. By the time of his death in 1963, Frost was already considered a legendary figure and one of America’s greatest poets.
Influence on American Poetry
Robert Frost is widely recognized for his unique approach to poetry and his ability to evoke vivid imagery and emotions with his writing. He influenced many poets who came after him and helped to shape the world of American poetry with his innovative use of poetic techniques such as meter and figurative language. Frost impacted generations of writers with his captivating poems and his influence is still felt today. He is often cited as one of the most profound and important poets in American history.
Early Childhood
Although born in San Francisco, Frost spent much of his early childhood in Maryland and California. He was a solitary child, growing up with two older brothers, and his sister, Elinor, who tragically died of tuberculosis at an early age. In 1885 he moved with his family to Lawrence, Massachusetts and attended Lawrence High School where he met Myron Benton, a close friend who encouraged him to read and write poetry.
Education
Upon graduating from high school, Frost attended Dartmouth College for two months, but was asked to leave due to poor academic performance. After returning home, Frost worked a variety of odd jobs, eventually settling in a rural area of New Hampshire where he set to work on writing poetry. During this time, he also wrote and published stories and works of satire, although these endeavors were not very successful. Despite this, Frost continued to write poetry, which eventually caught the attention of a local publisher.
Publishing Success
Frost’s first book of poetry, A Boy’s Will, was published in 1912. The book garnered positive reviews and recognition, and this success resulted in Frost’s second book, North of Boston, published two years later. His third book, Mountain Interval, followed in 1916, and this period of publication saw an increasing level of recognition for Frost, who was becoming a renowned figure in the American poetry scene.
Legacy
Frost maintained a broad level of popularity in the 20th century, and his poetic works were highly revered. In addition to two Pulitzer Prizes for Poetry, Frost was also honoured by receiving a Congressional Gold Medal from President Eisenhower. His impact on the world of American poetry is still felt today, and he is widely regarded as one of the most important poets in the country’s history. His influence continues to shape the works of poets around the world, reflecting his profound and enduring impact on literature.
