Robert Frost, one of the most beloved American poets of all time, passed away on January 29th, 1963 in Boston Massachusettes. The cause of Frost’s death is believed to be a result of complications from a prostatic surgical procedure Frost had taken on the day prior. Frost had a long, distinguished body of work that spanned over fifty years, and his writings would remain beloved and widely appreciated, even long after his death.
As a poet and leading figure of the 20th-century literary world, Frost wrote his first book of poetry – A Boy’s Will – at the age of 38, which was due to be published on the same day as his 39th birthday. This initial collection of poetry was later followed by two other major collections of poetry, North of Boston and Mountain Interval. He also published a number of volumes of poetry posthumously, including In the Clearing.
In addition to his own writings, Frost was also a frequent contributor to multiple magazines throughout the 1930s and 1940s, with his signature style of imagery-rich verse resonating with readers everywhere. His poems often focused on rural life, as he was deeply inspired by the western Massachusetts countryside, as well as rural New England and the New Hampshire woods. His most famous poem, “The Road Not Taken,” is a reflection on choice and action – a theme that carries through in much of his writing.
Robert Frost was highly regarded during his lifetime and throughout his career, winning four Pulitzer Prizes and several honorary Doctorate of Laws degrees. His influence in American literature remains strong, as he has had a profound and lasting impact on several generations of poets, authors and readers alike. Even 30 years after his death, his writings continue to be read and appreciated for the deep insight and emotion that he was able to convey in relatively few words.
When Robert Frost passed away in 1963, he was laid to rest in his hometown of Derry, New Hampshire. Frost had purchased a home in Derry where he spent most of his childhood and young adult life, and returned many times during his life to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life and reconnect with the pastoral scenery of rural America. Although his time in Derry was relatively brief, the experiences Frost had during his time there was what inspired much of his life’s work – his poetry.
The Impact of Robert Frost’s Writing
It is undeniable that Robert Frost had a powerful and lasting impact on American poetry and literature. His works have been studied and celebrated by generations of readers, and his pieces continue to be featured regularly in school curriculums across the country. Many of his famous poems, such as “The Road Not Taken,” are taught to English students in middle and high school, and his themes of personal struggle, hard work, and passion remain resonant with many readers even today.
While Frost’s writing style has been praised for its imagery and focus on rural life, it is also seen as profoundly personal, allowing readers to draw on the lesson of his poetry for introspection or self-reflection. His works often portray a sense of the individual’s struggle to make decisions and take action, which can be both motivating for the readers and help to underscore the value of making a difficult but informed choice.
Finally, Frost’s writing has long been heralded for its ability to convey a great deal of emotion in a few succinct words. His shorter poems, such as “Acquainted with the Night” and “Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening,” contain simple language that is easy to comprehend, yet simultaneously packs an emotional punch that resounds with those who read them.
Robert Frost’s Legacy
Today, Robert Frost’s legacy continues to endure. His works remain widely read, quoted and studied, and have been translated into numerous languages. In addition, his work has also been set to music, and several of his poems have been compiled in multi-language anthologies. A number of biographies, documentaries, books and exhibits have been dedicated to Frost and his work over the years, further demonstrating the profound impact of his work.
Frost also remains an influence in contemporary literature and science, with his body of work inspiring several generations of American poets and writers, as well as scientists, who have named new species of flora and fauna in his honor. Many of Frost’s works are featured regularly in popular culture, and are quoted frequently in speeches, movies and television.
The incredible impact and fame of Robert Frost has led to a number of awards, scholarships and prizes being offered in his name, further demonstrating the lasting significance of his life’s work. These awards are often presented annually to recognise literary excellence, and to encourage a new generation of writers and readers alike.
Robert Frost’s Posthumous Work
Although Frost passed away in 1963, his work would posthumously continue to live on. Several of his poems, such as “Steeple Bush” and “Give All to Love,” remain relatively obscure, yet no less beloved. In addition, several of Frost’s works were featured on postage stamps issued by the United States Postal Service, including three, 13-cent stamps issued in 1991.
Frost also wrote several books posthumously, such as In the Clearing, which took more than 20 years to edit due to its complexity. This work was published in 1962, shortly after Frost’s death, and features the poem “The Most of It,” which serves as the source of the book’s title. This book, along with his other two posthumous collections, completes the “trilogy” of Frost’s life’s major works.
In addition to Frost’s traditional writing, he also left notable works in spoken word, such as an address he made at the White House in 1965 at the request of President John F. Kennedy. This poetry-inspired address, “The Gift Outright,” offers an illustrative look into the mind of Frost and his work that has since gone on to be studied by generations of thinkers, writers and readers.
Robert Frost’s Legacy Within Music
Another area in which Frost continues to live on is through music. Since his death in 1963, his poems have been put to music in various ways, with several recordings being made. Band such as Fleet Foxes and Sufjan Stevens have released records with Frost’s poems as lyrics, while artists such as John Denver and Kenny Loggins have released folk recordings of Frost’s work.
Frost’s writing has also inspired a wide arrangement of popular songs, with works such as “The Road Not Taken” serving as source material and inspiration for a number of different tunes. These songs range from folk music to modern pop songs, even creating a collision of classical poetics and catchy hooks.
Finally, Frost’s works have also served as the subject of several art installations, galleries, and commemorative works, further echoing the poet’s contribution to and lasting impact on the literary world. Frost’s work continues to captivate and inspire readers and listeners of all kinds, 80 years after his first major poem.
Robert Frost’s Final Resting Place
Ultimately, Frost was someone who deeply valued his local community and cherished the rural life he celebrated in much of his writing. Thus, when the poet passed away in 1963, he was buried at Old Bennington Cemetery in Bennington, Vermont. It is here that Frost chose to be buried with his relatives, as well as the family of his wife Elinor.
The cemetery itself is a quiet, rural destination that pays homage to Frost’s life. Tours of the cemetery can be booked, and many choose to visit this special resting place to pay tribute to the American poet. The cemetery also contains Frost’s gravesite, which features a large stone monument illustrating the theme of his most famous poem: that of a “road not taken.”
Although Robert Frost passed away some fifty years ago, it is clear that his legacy and his works will remain deeply appreciated and widely read for generations to come. His writings continue to echo with readers everywhere, inspiring them to think deeply about the beauty of life, love, home and family.
