Anne Sexton

Date of Birth: November 9, 1928

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: October 4, 1974

Biography

Anne Gray Harvey, known professionally as Anne Sexton, was an influential American poet born on November 9, 1928, in Newton, Massachusetts. She was one of the most prominent figures in the confessional poetry movement, and her work often delved into themes of personal trauma, mental illness, and the complexities of the female experience. Sexton grew up in a middle-class family and attended Rogers Hall, a preparatory school for girls, and then Garland Junior College for one year. Her early life was marred by emotional and psychological turmoil, which would later be reflected in her poetry. She married Alfred “Kayo” Sexton II at the age of 19, and the couple had two daughters. Her struggle with mental illness began in earnest after the birth of her children, leading to multiple hospitalizations for severe depression. It was during one of these hospitalizations that her therapist encouraged her to write poetry as a form of therapy. This advice proved transformative, and Sexton’s literary career took off after she joined a writing group and studied under poet Robert Lowell. Sexton’s first collection, “To Bedlam and Part Way Back,” was published in 1960 and received critical acclaim. She went on to publish several more collections, including “All My Pretty Ones” (1962), “Live or Die” (1966), which won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, and “The Awful Rowing Toward God” (1975). Despite her literary success, Sexton continued to struggle with her mental health, and tragically, she took her own life on October 4, 1974.

5 Interesting Facts about Anne Sexton

1. Anne Sexton won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1967 for her book “Live or Die.”

2. She was a close friend and collaborator with fellow poet Sylvia Plath.

3. Sexton was known for her deeply personal and confessional style, which often addressed taboo subjects such as mental illness, suicide, and sexuality.

4. She recorded several spoken word albums, including “Anne Sexton Reads Her Poetry,” which brought her work to a wider audience.

5. Despite her struggles, Sexton was a dedicated teacher and taught creative writing at institutions such as Boston University and Colgate University.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Anne Sexton

1. “Put your ear down close to your soul and listen hard.”

2. “Poetry led me by the hand out of madness.”

3. “As it has been said: Love and a cough cannot be concealed. Even a small cough. Even a small love.”

4. “I am younger each year at the first snow. When I see it, suddenly, in the air, all little and white and moving; then I am in love again and very young and I believe everything.”

5. “Live or die, but don’t poison everything.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

While specific figures are not readily available, Anne Sexton’s highest net worth was likely modest compared to contemporary standards, given the era and the financial returns from poetry and teaching.