Ellen Bass

Date of Birth: June 16, 1947

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Biography

Ellen Bass is an acclaimed American poet, born on June 16, 1947, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She has made significant contributions to contemporary poetry, with her work often exploring themes of love, loss, healing, and the human condition. Bass pursued her education at Goucher College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts, and subsequently received a Master of Arts from Boston University. Throughout her career, Ellen Bass has published several volumes of poetry, including “The Human Line” (2007) and “Like a Beggar” (2014), which have been met with critical acclaim. Her poetry has been featured in notable literary journals such as The New Yorker and The American Poetry Review. Bass is also a co-editor of the groundbreaking anthology “No More Masks! An Anthology of Poems by Women” which has had a lasting impact on feminist literature. In addition to her writing, Ellen Bass is a dedicated educator, teaching in the low-residency MFA writing program at Pacific University. She has received numerous awards for her work, including fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the California Arts Council.

5 Interesting Facts about Ellen Bass

1. Ellen Bass co-edited the influential anthology “No More Masks! An Anthology of Poems by Women,” which was first published in 1973.

2. She has taught poetry and creative writing for over 30 years, mentoring countless students.

3. Bass’s poem “Gate C22” has been widely anthologized and is often used in wedding ceremonies.

4. In addition to her poetry, she has co-authored non-fiction books, including “The Courage to Heal,” a groundbreaking guide for survivors of sexual abuse.

5. Ellen Bass’s work has been recognized with a Lambda Literary Award and a Pushcart Prize.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Ellen Bass

1. “To love is not to possess, to own or imprison, nor to lose oneself in another. Love is to join and separate, to walk alone and together, to find a laughing freedom that lonely isolation does not permit.”

2. “What if you knew you’d be the last to touch someone?”

3. “The human heart is the first home of democracy.”

4. “We are, every one of us, in the position of the lover, if we are awake.”

5. “The thing is to love life, to love it even when you have no stomach for it.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

As a poet and educator, Ellen Bass’s net worth is not widely publicized. However, it is estimated to be in the range of $1 million, primarily derived from her literary works and teaching engagements.

Children

Ellen Bass has one daughter named Eliza, who has been a source of inspiration for much of her work. Eliza has pursued her own career outside of the literary world, but remains a significant presence in Bass’s life and poetry.