Date of Birth: September 20, 1928
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Date of Death: June 23, 2018
Biography
Donald Hall was an influential American poet, writer, editor, and literary critic. Born on September 20, 1928, in New Haven, Connecticut, Hall’s work spans over six decades and delves deeply into themes such as rural life, love, loss, and the passage of time. He graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy and went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree from Harvard University in 1951. Later, he received a Bachelor of Letters from Oxford University in 1953. Hall’s poetry collections, such as “Without” (1998) and “The One Day” (1988), received critical acclaim and numerous awards. His prose works, including children’s books and memoirs, further showcased his versatility and depth as a writer. Hall served as the U.S. Poet Laureate from 2006 to 2007, an honor that recognized his significant contributions to American literature. Over his lifetime, Hall published over 50 books, encompassing poetry, essays, and children’s literature. His marriage to poet Jane Kenyon was both a personal and creative partnership, and her death in 1995 profoundly impacted his later work. Hall passed away on June 23, 2018, at his home in Wilmot, New Hampshire, leaving behind a rich legacy of literary achievements.
5 Interesting Facts about Donald Hall
1. Donald Hall served as the U.S. Poet Laureate from 2006 to 2007.
2. He published over 50 books in his lifetime, including poetry, essays, and children’s literature.
3. Hall received the National Medal of Arts from President Barack Obama in 2010.
4. His work often explored themes of rural life, informed by his experiences living on his family farm in New Hampshire.
5. His marriage to poet Jane Kenyon was a significant personal and creative partnership, deeply influencing his work.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Donald Hall
1. “Poetry is the unsayable said.”
2. “The ambition of every good cook must be to make something very good with the fewest possible ingredients.”
3. “I think of writing as a privilege, not a job.”
4. “You think that their dying is the worst thing that could happen. Then they stay dead.”
5. “A poem is never finished, only abandoned.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Donald Hall’s highest net worth was estimated to be around $1 million at the peak of his career.
Children
Donald Hall had two children: a son named Andrew Hall and a daughter named Philippa Hall.
Relevant Links
1. [Poetry Foundation – Donald Hall](https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/donald-hall
2. [Academy of American Poets – Donald Hall](https://poets.org/poet/donald-hall
4. [National Endowment for the Arts – Donald Hall](https://www.arts.gov/honors/medals/donald-hall
5. [Library of Congress – Donald Hall](https://www.loc.gov/item/n79006755/donald-hall/
