William Jay Smith

Date of Birth: April 22, 1918

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: August 18, 2015

Biography

William Jay Smith was an accomplished American poet, translator, and academic. He was born in Winnfield, Louisiana, and grew up in Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. Smith had a prolific literary career that spanned several decades, contributing significantly to American poetry with his unique blend of wit, lyricism, and formality. He attended Washington University in St. Louis, where he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Later, he was a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University. Smith’s work often reflected his Southern roots and his experiences during World War II, in which he served in the U.S. Navy. He authored numerous poetry collections, including “The World Below the Window” and “Celebrations and Elegies,” and his poems appeared in prestigious publications like The New Yorker and The Paris Review. He also translated works from French, Italian, and Russian, bringing European poets to American audiences. Smith served as the Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress (now known as the U.S. Poet Laureate) from 1968 to 1970. Throughout his career, he received numerous awards and honors, including the Robert Frost Medal and fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Guggenheim Foundation. Smith was also an influential teacher and mentor, having taught at several universities, including Columbia University and Williams College.

5 Interesting Facts about William Jay Smith

1. William Jay Smith served as the U.S. Poet Laureate from 1968 to 1970.

2. He was a Rhodes Scholar and studied at Oxford University.

3. Smith was bilingual and translated literary works from French, Italian, and Russian into English.

4. He was a World War II veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy.

5. Smith received the prestigious Robert Frost Medal for his contributions to American poetry.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from William Jay Smith

1. “Poetry is a way of taking life by the throat.”

2. “The poet’s voice is the voice of the individual, but it is also the voice of the world.”

3. “A poem is a bridge between the visible and the invisible.”

4. “Writing poetry is like making music with words.”

5. “The essence of poetry is a heightened sense of reality.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by William Jay Smith is not publicly documented, but his literary estate includes numerous published works and translations, which have been influential in American literature.