Robert Frost was born on March 26, 1874 in San Francisco, California to journalist, William Prescott Frost Jr. and Isabelle Moodie. He was the oldest of six children. His father died when he was eleven, and his mother had to support her family.c
Frost began writing poetry at the age of sixteen. He attended Dartmouth College briefly and then sold his first poem in 1894. Frost studied at Harvard University, though he did not take a degree. In 1894 Frost married with Elinor White, and the couple settled in Massachusetts. Frost and White had six children, three girls, and three boys.
Frost and his family moved to England in 1912, where his literary works gained immediate recognition. He received several honorary degrees from colleges such as Tufts University and Cambridge University. He also won the Pulitzer Prize four times for his collections of poems.
Frost returned to the USA in 1915, and taught at several institutions, including: Amherst College, Harvard University and Middlebury College. He was named Consultant in Poetry for the Library of Congress in 1937, a two-year appointment that was later extended for another two years. He received the Congressional Gold Medal from President Johnsons in the same year.
Frost passed away on January 29, 1963 after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage. He was buried in Old Bennington Cemetery in Bennington, Vermont. He was survived by his wife and four of their children.
Early Years
Robert Frost was born on March 26, 1874 in San Francisco, California to journalist, William Prescott Frost Jr. and Isabelle Moodie. His father was a hard-working newspaperman, and his mother was a great storytellerc
Frost attended several schools such as: Lawrence High School, Dartmouth College and Harvard University, but he never obtained a degree in any field. He was very interested in reading and writing, and started to write his first poems at the age of sixteen.
Frost left San Francisco at the age of nineteen, and moved to Massachusetts to work in a mill. There, he met Elinor White, whom he married in 1894. Elinor was a major influence in Frost’s life, encouraging him to pursue poetry and teaching him the basics of poetic craft.
In 1897, Frost’s first published poem appeared in The Independent of New York. This marked the beginning of his literary career. His works soon gained recognition and his first Pulitzer Prize award was in 1924.
During his teenage years and early twenties, Frost lived in many places, including Florida and New York. Throughout this period, he continued to write and refine his craft as a poet.
Established Career
Frost gained worldwide recognition for his works in 1912, when he moved to England along with his family. He became very popular among the British literary circles, and the English press praised his works. Frost was awarded honorary degrees from institutions like Cambridge University and Tufts University.
In 1915, Frost returned to America, and started to teach in various institutions. He became the Consultant in Poetry for the Library of Congress in 1937 and was also awarded the Congressional Gold Medal from President Johnson. He was later honoured as a poet laureate of Vermont, and was appointed honor poet at the inaugurations of President John F. Kennedy and President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
In 1959, Frost was awarded the Freedom Award, an annual award given to people who have contributed significantly to democracy and freedom. He was the only poet in the history of the award to receive such an honour.
Frost’s works in poetry are usually characterized by their vivid imagery, natural speech and a conversational tone. He often wrote about rural life, love, and the beauty of nature, combining everyday language with a philosophical attitude.
Frost’s works have had a profound influence on poetry in the twentieth century, and he was considered an outstanding writer in his time. His works were widely read and often anthologized, and his popularity remains high.
Late Years and Death
In the late 1940s, Frost started to suffer ill health, and he became increasingly isolated. Despite this, he continued to write and publish new poems until his death in 1963. He passed away due to a severe cerebral hemorrhage on January 29, 1963, in Boston.
Frost’s funeral was held on February 3, 1963, and he was buried in Old Bennington Cemetery in Bennington, Vermont. He was survived by his wife, Elinor, and four of their children: son Carol, daughter Irma, son Leslie and daughter Elinor.
Frost’s legacy as a poet has endured for almost a century and his works continue to inspire people around the world. He is widely remembered for his poems about nature, rural life, love and friendship.
Influence and Legacy
Frost’s writing style is often revered as the quintessential American fashion and he cultivated the use of everyday colloquialisms with a broader metaphysical vision. He has written many poems in the English language which are widely studied, notably “The Road Not Taken”, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” and “Nothing Gold Can Stay”.
Frost was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the highest civilian award in the United States of America, in 1964. He received many other awards during his career, including the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry four times. He was also appointed to serve as the Consultant in Poetry for the Library of Congress in 1937.
Frost has had a considerable influence in the world of poetry. His works have been adopted, adapted and treasured by many communities. He is also widely recognized as a mentor, an educator, and a pioneer in the field of poetry in America.
Frost’s works have been translated into many languages including French, Spanish and German. His works remain popular across various countries and his legacy continues to inspire and motivate many writers.
Notable Works
Frost was a prolific writer who published several works in his lifetime. His most famous works include “The Road Not Taken”, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”, “Mending Wall”, “Nothing Gold Can Stay”, “A Boy’s Will”, and “North of Boston”.
Other noteworthy works include “In the Clearing” (1962), “Steeple Bush” (1947), “West-Running Brook” (1928) and “The Gift Outright” (1934). He also wrote several plays such as “A Masque of Reason” (1945) and “A Masque of Mercy” (1947).
These works demonstrate Frost’s unique style, which combines everyday language with a philosophical attitude. He often wrote about rural life, love, and the beauty of nature, often using vivid imagery and natural speech.
Over the years, Frost’s works have had a major influence on the world of poetry. His works have been adapted, adapted and treasured by countless people.
Role in Teaching
Frost was a passionate teacher, and taught at institutions like Amherst College, Harvard University and Middlebury College. He was also a well-respected mentor, guiding and encouraging many up-and-coming poets.
Frost was well-known for his ability to assess and edit young poets’ works. His critiques were honest and straightforward, but he often offered helpful advice and suggestions.
As a teacher, Frost was known for his sense of humour and generosity. He was often surrounded by students and was willing to talk with them about his life and his works. His classes were often interactive and filled with discussion.
Frost worked as an editor for a variety of college magazines, including The Amherst Student, The Dartmouth Literary Magazine and The Harvard Advocate. He also wrote several essays about his craft, which remain a valuable source of knowledge for budding writers.
Frost was a major influence in the modern American poetry, and his works are popular across the world. As a teacher, author and mentor, he was respected for his generosity and was a source of inspiration for many writers.
