Robert Frost

Robert Frost was one of the most celebrated poets of the 1900s. He was an American poet born on March 26, 1874 in San Francisco, California. His father died from tuberculosis when Frost was 11, so his mother moved the rest of the family to Lawrence, Massachusetts. It was during his high school years that Frost became interested in poetry.

Frost never earned a formal college degree even though he attended both Dartmouth College and Harvard University.

His first poem, "My Butterfly," was published on November 8, 1894 in a New York newspaper, and he was paid $15 for it.

That following year he married Elinor Miriam White who was a major inspiration for his poetry. The couple moved to England in 1912 because they were unsuccessful with farming in the states. Frost was also not finding success with his writing, so the couple saw more opportunity in England because of the vast range of publishers. By the time they returned in 1915, Frost had already published two collections of poetry: A Boy's Well (1913) and North of Boston (1914).

Many of Frost's poems were inspired by the landscape and life in New England. A couple of his most famous poems are "The Road Not Taken" (1916) and "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" (1925).

He cofounded the Bread Loaf School of English of Middlebury College, and he spent time teaching at a couple American campuses.

Robert Frost passed away in Boston on January 29, 1963.

Some Interesting Facts About Robert Frost

1. Frost graduated high school as co-valedictorian with his future wife, Elinor Miriam White.
2. He delivered a poem at President John F. Kennedy's inauguration. He prepared a special poem for the event, but because the sun was blinding, Frost recited "The Gift Outright" instead. President Kennedy did not want Frost to make a speech because he was so well liked that Kennedy was afraid Frost would inadvertently steal the spotlight.
3. In 1955 a mountain in Vermont was named after Frost.
4. He was awarded honorary degrees from more than 40 colleges and universities.
5. Four out of six of Frost's children died before he did.
6. The Robert Frost Farm in Derry, New Hampshire is open for tours.
7. He was considered the unofficial poet laureate.
8. Robert Frost won four Pulitzer Prizes.

References

• poetryfoundation.org
• Robert Frost Farm
• poets.org