Adrienne Rich

Date of Birth: May 16, 1929

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: March 27, 2012

Biography

Adrienne Rich was an American poet, essayist, and feminist who became one of the most influential and widely-read writers of the second half of the 20th century. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Rich was the daughter of renowned pathologist Arnold Rice Rich and concert pianist Helen Elizabeth Jones Rich. She showed an early interest in literature, influenced by her father’s encouragement and her mother’s artistic background. Rich attended Radcliffe College, graduating in 1951, and her first collection of poetry, “A Change of World,” was selected by W. H. Auden for the Yale Younger Poets Series. Throughout her career, Rich’s work evolved from formal, structured poetry to more free-form and politically charged pieces. Her writing addressed issues such as feminism, lesbianism, and social justice, making her a significant voice during the feminist movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Rich’s notable works include “Diving into the Wreck” (1973), which won the National Book Award, and “The Dream of a Common Language” (1978). She was also a prolific essayist, with collections like “On Lies, Secrets, and Silence” (1979) and “Blood, Bread, and Poetry” (1986) contributing to her reputation as a critical thinker and advocate for social change. Rich’s personal life was marked by her marriage to Harvard economist Alfred Haskell Conrad in 1953, with whom she had three sons. The marriage ended in separation in 1970, and Conrad died later that year. Subsequently, Rich entered a long-term relationship with writer and editor Michelle Cliff. Rich continued to write and lecture until her death in 2012, leaving behind a legacy of literary achievement and social activism.

5 Interesting Facts about Adrienne Rich

1. Adrienne Rich won the Yale Younger Poets Award for her first collection of poetry, “A Change of World,” in 1951.

2. She declined the National Medal of Arts in 1997, protesting against the policies of the Clinton administration.

3. Her collection “Diving into the Wreck” won both the National Book Award and the Bollingen Prize in 1974.

4. Rich was a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and came out as a lesbian in the late 1970s.

5. She was awarded the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize in 1986 for her contributions to American poetry.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Adrienne Rich

1. “The connections between and among women are the most feared, the most problematic, and the most potentially transforming force on the planet.”

2. “Responsibility to yourself means refusing to let others do your thinking, talking, and naming for you.”

3. “Poetry is the liquid voice that can wear through stone.”

4. “When a woman tells the truth she is creating the possibility for more truth around her.”

5. “The moment of change is the only poem.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Adrienne Rich’s highest net worth was not widely publicized, as she was more noted for her literary contributions and activism than for financial success. However, her significant impact on literature and social movements has left a lasting legacy.