Edgar Lee Masters

Date of Birth: August 23, 1868

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: March 5, 1950

Biography

Edgar Lee Masters was an influential American poet, biographer, and dramatist who achieved fame with his collection “Spoon River Anthology.” Born in Garnett, Kansas, and raised in Petersburg and Lewistown, Illinois, Masters practiced law in Chicago before gaining literary recognition. His work is known for its stark realism and vivid portrait of small-town life, often revealing the hidden lives and struggles of ordinary people. Masters published several collections of poetry and prose, but none matched the success of “Spoon River Anthology.” He also wrote biographies, including those of Abraham Lincoln, Mark Twain, and Walt Whitman. Edgar Lee Masters passed away on March 5, 1950, in Melrose Park, Pennsylvania.

5 Interesting Facts about Edgar Lee Masters

1. Masters initially wrote under the pseudonym Dexter Wallace to avoid jeopardizing his law career.

2. “Spoon River Anthology,” his most famous work, was published in 1915 and has been continuously in print since.

3. He attended Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, but did not graduate; he later received an honorary degree from the same institution.

4. Masters practiced law in the same office as Clarence Darrow, the famous defense attorney.

5. He published over 50 books, including poetry, novels, and biographies.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Edgar Lee Masters

1. “I never saw any difference between a prayer and a poem.”

2. “To put meaning in one’s life may end in madness, but life without meaning is the torture of restlessness and vague desire.”

3. “How shall the soul of a man be larger than the life he has lived?”

4. “The earth keeps some vibration going there in your heart, and that is you.”

5. “Memory is a living thing that never dies.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Edgar Lee Masters’ highest net worth was modest, as he did not achieve significant financial success from his literary career. Exact figures are not available, but his income primarily came from his law practice and writing combined.

Children

Edgar Lee Masters had three children: Marcia Masters, Hardin Wallace Masters, and Madeline Masters. His son Hardin followed in his footsteps, becoming a lawyer and also writing poetry.