John Ciardi

Date of Birth: June 24, 1916

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: March 30, 1986

Biography

John Anthony Ciardi was an American poet, translator, and etymologist, best known for his poetry and his translation of Dante’s “Divine Comedy.” Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Ciardi grew up in Medford, where his early childhood was marked by the death of his father in a car accident. Despite these hardships, Ciardi excelled academically, attending Bates College and later transferring to Tufts University, where he graduated magna cum laude in 1938. He earned his Master’s degree from the University of Michigan, where he also won the prestigious Hopwood Award for his poetry. Ciardi served as a gunner in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. After the war, he joined the faculty at Harvard University, where he taught until 1953. He subsequently became the poetry editor of the Saturday Review, a position he held for many years, making significant contributions to the field of contemporary poetry. In addition to his poetry, Ciardi was a renowned translator. His translation of Dante’s “Inferno” is still considered one of the best in the English language. He also made substantial contributions to children’s literature, authoring several popular books for young readers. Ciardi’s work was characterized by its accessibility, wit, and deep engagement with the human condition.

5 Interesting Facts about John Ciardi

1. John Ciardi won the prestigious Hopwood Award for his poetry while he was a student at the University of Michigan.

2. He served as a gunner in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.

3. His translation of Dante’s “Inferno” is still highly regarded and widely used in academic settings.

4. Ciardi was a long-time poetry editor for the Saturday Review, influencing the landscape of contemporary American poetry.

5. He authored several children’s books, including the popular “You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You.”

5 Most Interesting Quotes from John Ciardi

1. “A good question is never answered. It is not a bolt to be tightened into place but a seed to be planted and to bear more seed toward the hope of greening the landscape of idea.”

2. “Modern art is what happens when painters stop looking at girls and persuade themselves that they have a better idea.”

3. “The day will happen whether or not you get up.”

4. “Every game ever invented by mankind is a way of making things hard for the fun of it.”

5. “A university is what a college becomes when the faculty loses interest in students.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

While precise figures for John Ciardi’s net worth are not commonly documented, it is estimated that at the peak of his career, his net worth was modest compared to modern standards. His income primarily came from his teaching positions, editorial work, book sales, and speaking engagements.

Children

John Ciardi had three children with his wife, Judith Hostetter: Myra Ciardi, John Anthony Ciardi Jr., and Bennet Ciardi. His family often served as inspiration for his writing, particularly his works for children.