Joyce Kilmer

Date of Birth: December 6, 1886

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: July 30, 1918

Biography

Alfred Joyce Kilmer, known as Joyce Kilmer, was an American writer and poet born on December 6, 1886, in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He is best remembered for his poem “Trees,” which was published in 1913 and has been a staple in American literature ever since. Kilmer attended Rutgers College and later Columbia University, where he developed his literary talents. He worked as a teacher and a journalist before dedicating himself to poetry. During World War I, Kilmer enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a Sergeant with the 165th Infantry Regiment, also known as the “Fighting 69th.” He was known for his bravery and dedication to his fellow soldiers. Tragically, Kilmer was killed in action on July 30, 1918, during the Second Battle of the Marne in France. His legacy endures through his poetry and his contributions to American literature.

5 Interesting Facts about Joyce Kilmer

1. Joyce Kilmer’s most famous poem, “Trees,” was published in 1913 and has been widely anthologized.

2. Before focusing on poetry, Kilmer worked as a teacher and journalist, contributing to various publications.

3. Kilmer converted to Catholicism in 1913, which significantly influenced his later works.

4. He was awarded the Croix de Guerre posthumously by the French government for his bravery during World War I.

5. Kilmer Lake in the Adirondacks and the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest in North Carolina are named in his honor.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Joyce Kilmer

1. “I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree.”

2. “Poems are made by fools like me, but only God can make a tree.”

3. “The only immortality of which we are sure is the immortality of influence.”

4. “When you become a soldier you must sell your soul to the government.”

5. “The poet is the priest of the invisible.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Joyce Kilmer’s highest net worth achieved is not well-documented, as his career was primarily in poetry and journalism, professions not typically associated with significant financial gain during his era.

Children

Joyce Kilmer and his wife, Aline Murray Kilmer, had five children: 1. Kenton Sinclair Kilmer 2. Michael Barry Kilmer 3. Deborah Clanton Kilmer 4. Rose Kilburn Kilmer 5. Christopher Kilmer (who died in infancy)