Conrad Aiken

Date of Birth: August 5, 1889

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Date of Death: August 17, 1973

Biography

Conrad Aiken was an American author and poet, born on August 5, 1889, in Savannah, Georgia. His literary career spanned several decades, during which he published numerous collections of poetry, short stories, and novels. Aiken is best known for his poetry, which often explores themes of psychoanalysis and the human condition. He was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1930 for his work “Selected Poems.” Aiken’s life was marked by tragedy early on when he discovered the bodies of his parents in a murder-suicide when he was just 11 years old, an event that profoundly influenced his writing. Aiken attended Harvard University, where he befriended fellow poets T.S. Eliot and E.E. Cummings. His writing style is characterized by a deep introspection and a keen psychological insight, often delving into the subconscious mind. Aiken also served as the poetry consultant to the Library of Congress from 1950 to 1952, a position that later became known as the U.S. Poet Laureate.

5 Interesting Facts about Conrad Aiken

1. Conrad Aiken won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1930 for “Selected Poems.”

2. He discovered his parents’ bodies after a murder-suicide when he was just 11 years old.

3. Aiken was a close friend of T.S. Eliot and E.E. Cummings, whom he met at Harvard University.

4. He served as a poetry consultant to the Library of Congress from 1950 to 1952.

5. Aiken’s work often explores themes of psychoanalysis and the human condition.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Conrad Aiken

1. “Music I heard with you was more than music, and bread I broke with you was more than bread.”

2. “The essential is to excite the spectators. If that means playing Hamlet on a flying trapeze or in an aquarium, you do it.”

3. “The self is a mask, a trick of mirrors.”

4. “In the end, we are all just literary critics, and we know nothing.”

5. “To make your nerves and muscles and sinews serve you well, you must learn how to handle them.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Conrad Aiken’s net worth at the height of his career was modest compared to modern standards, as literary success during his time did not typically result in vast financial wealth. His value mainly lies in his significant contributions to American literature.

Children

Conrad Aiken had three children: John Aiken, Jane Aiken Hodge, and Joan Aiken. Jane Aiken Hodge became a well-known historical novelist and biographer, and Joan Aiken became a famous author of children’s books, best known for her “Wolves Chronicles” series.