Galway Kinnell

Date of Birth: February 1, 1927

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: October 28, 2014

Biography

Galway Kinnell was an acclaimed American poet known for his powerful and evocative verse. Born in Providence, Rhode Island, Kinnell grew up in Pawtucket, where he developed a love for literature at an early age. He attended Princeton University, where he studied with the poet and critic R.P. Blackmur, and later received an M.A. from the University of Rochester. Kinnell’s poetry is often noted for its deep connection to the natural world and its exploration of human experience and emotion. His work frequently addresses themes of mortality, love, and the human condition, often drawing on rich imagery and lyrical language. Over his career, he published numerous collections of poetry, including “The Book of Nightmares,” “Mortal Acts, Mortal Words,” and “Selected Poems,” for which he won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1982. In addition to his success as a poet, Kinnell was an influential teacher and mentor. He taught at several institutions, including New York University, where he was a beloved member of the faculty. Kinnell was also active in social causes, including the Civil Rights Movement and anti-war efforts during the Vietnam War.

5 Interesting Facts about Galway Kinnell

1. Kinnell won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1982 for his collection “Selected Poems.”

2. He was the recipient of the 2010 Wallace Stevens Award, which recognizes outstanding and proven mastery in the art of poetry.

3. Kinnell was a Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets from 2001 to 2007.

4. He was heavily involved in the Civil Rights Movement, even volunteering for the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) in Louisiana.

5. Kinnell’s work often drew comparisons to Walt Whitman for its expansive, inclusive vision and lyrical style.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Galway Kinnell

1. “The bud stands for all things, even for those things that don’t flower, for everything flowers, from within, of self-blessing.”

2. “To me, poetry is somebody standing up, so to speak, and saying, with as little concealment as possible, what it is for him or her to be on earth at this moment.”

3. “The poet is like the earth’s shadow. The sun moves, and the poet writes something down.”

4. “That’s the way it is with poetry: When it is incomprehensible it seems profound, and when you understand it, it is only ridiculous.”

5. “Our life is brief . . . yet it is full of many delights, and we are given the opportunity to experience so much.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Galway Kinnell’s highest net worth is not widely documented, but his contributions to poetry and literature have left a lasting legacy far beyond financial measures.