Wystan Hugh (W.H.) Auden (1907-1973) is considered one of the finest, if not the finest, poet of the mid-20th century. He had a large influence on poetry, including American poetry. Born in Britain, he emigrated to the United States in his 30s and became a U.S. citizen, and he eventually managed to win both a Pulitzer Prize for Poetry (The Age of Anxiety: A Baroque Eclogue) and a National Book Award for Poetry (The Shield of Achilles).
Auden exercised considerable influence in literary circles. He was first a poet, yes, but he was also a critic, a lecturer, a playwright, and a librettist for opera. Many have pointed out that no one since Auden has had such a literary influence on writing in English, an influence that was global. His style and his intellect had a significant influence on such poets as Robert Lowell, John Ashbery, James Merrill, the New Formalists, Maxine Kumin, and many others. His influence could also work the opposite way – it was so pervasive that the Beat Generation poets were said to be writing like they did in reaction to Auden.
To continue reading, please see my post today at Tweetspeak Poetry.
Some Tuesday Readings
Legends of Liberty Volume II by Andrew Benson Brown – review by Theresa Werba at Society of Classical Poets.
I fly, too, or in my mind I do – poem by Mark Kraushaar at 32 Poems.
My Papa’s Waltz – poem by Theodore Roethke at Rabbit Room Poetry.
“God’s Grandeur,” poem by Gerard Manley Hopkins – Sally Thomas at Poems Ancient and Modern.
Bearing – poem by Will Willingham at Every Day Poems.
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