Edwin Arlington Robinson

Date of Birth: December 22, 1869

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Date of Death: April 6, 1935

Biography

Edwin Arlington Robinson was an American poet born on December 22, 1869, in Head Tide, Maine. He is renowned for his deeply introspective and melancholic poetry that often explores themes of personal failure, disillusionment, and the darker aspects of human nature. Robinson’s work is characterized by its traditional form and meter, as well as its philosophical depth and psychological insight. Robinson faced a challenging childhood, marked by the financial instability of his family and the death of his father in 1892. Despite these hardships, he pursued his passion for writing poetry. He attended Harvard University from 1891 to 1893 but left without completing his degree due to financial constraints. Robinson’s early work received little recognition, and he struggled with poverty for many years. However, his fortunes changed when President Theodore Roosevelt, impressed by Robinson’s poetry, arranged for him to receive a sinecure job at the New York Customs Office. This position allowed Robinson to focus more on his writing. Robinson’s breakthrough came with his collection “The Man Against the Sky” (1916), which garnered significant critical acclaim. He went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry three times, in 1922 for “Collected Poems,” in 1925 for “The Man Who Died Twice,” and in 1928 for “Tristram.” Throughout his life, Robinson remained committed to his craft, producing a substantial body of work that continues to be celebrated for its emotional depth and technical mastery. He passed away on April 6, 1935, in New York City.

5 Interesting Facts about Edwin Arlington Robinson

1. Edwin Arlington Robinson was named by a woman drawing his name out of a hat, as his parents had not chosen a name for him by the time of his birth.

2. President Theodore Roosevelt was a significant patron of Robinson, helping him secure a job that allowed him financial stability.

3. Robinson’s poetry often featured characters based on people he knew from his hometown of Gardiner, Maine, which he fictionalized as “Tilbury Town” in his works.

4. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry three times, which is a rare achievement.

5. Robinson’s poem “Richard Cory” has been widely anthologized and adapted into various musical and theatrical formats, including a song by Simon & Garfunkel.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Edwin Arlington Robinson

1. “The world is a kind of spiritual kindergarten where millions of bewildered infants are trying to spell God with the wrong blocks.”

2. “Don’t take her away from me, or I shall die.”

3. “There are two kinds of gratitude: The sudden kind we feel for what we take; the larger kind we feel for what we give.”

4. “And thus we all are made in such a way; Our principles are to be bought and sold.”

5. “There are more ways of killing a cat than choking it with cream.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Edwin Arlington Robinson’s highest net worth was not extensively documented, but it is known that he lived modestly and struggled financially for much of his life. His financial situation improved later in life due to literary success and patronage, but he never amassed substantial wealth.