Howard Nemerov

Date of Birth: February 29, 1920

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: July 5, 1991

Biography

Howard Nemerov was an acclaimed American poet, novelist, and literary critic. Born on February 29, 1920, in New York City, he was the son of a prosperous businessman. Nemerov attended the Ethical Culture Fieldston School and later went on to study at Harvard University, where he graduated with an A.B. degree in 1941. He served as a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force and the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II, an experience that deeply influenced his writing. Nemerov’s literary career took off with the publication of his first book of poetry, “The Image and the Law,” in 1947. Over the years, he became known for his formalist style, intellectual depth, and wit. He wrote more than a dozen books of poetry, including “The Salt Garden” (1955), “The Blue Swallows” (1967), and “The Collected Poems of Howard Nemerov” (1977). His novel “The Homecoming Game” (1957) also received critical acclaim. Nemerov was not only a prolific writer but also an esteemed educator. He taught at several universities, including Bennington College, Hamilton College, and Washington University in St. Louis, where he was a professor for many years. His contributions to literature were recognized with numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, the National Book Award, and the Bollingen Prize. Nemerov served as the Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress (now known as the Poet Laureate of the United States) from 1963 to 1964 and again from 1988 to 1990. He passed away on July 5, 1991, leaving behind a rich legacy in American literature.

5 Interesting Facts about Howard Nemerov

1. Howard Nemerov was the brother of renowned photographer Diane Arbus.

2. He won both the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry and the National Book Award in 1978 for “The Collected Poems of Howard Nemerov.”

3. Nemerov served as the Poet Laureate of the United States twice, in 1963-1964 and 1988-1990.

4. He was a skilled pilot and served in both the Royal Canadian Air Force and the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.

5. Howard Nemerov was known for his formalist approach to poetry, often using traditional structures and meter.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Howard Nemerov

1. “Write what you know. That should leave you with a lot of free time.”

2. “The only way out is in.”

3. “Nothing in the universe can travel at the speed of light, they say, forgetful of the shadow’s speed.”

4. “Obsession is the single most wasteful human activity, because with an obsession you keep coming back and back and back to the same question and never get an answer.”

5. “I think there must be a place in the soul all made of tunes, of tunes of long ago.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Howard Nemerov’s net worth was not publicly documented, but his financial success was modest, primarily derived from his academic positions and literary awards.