Edwin Arlington Robinson is the only American poet, with the possible exception of Stephen Crane, who began publishing between 1865 and 1900 and who is still taken seriously. The arc of Robinson’s career is dramatic, even for an American author. He wrote in poverty and obscurity until he was almost fifty. Then Robinson’s work found an audience and for another twenty years Robinson was the most popular serious poet in the United States. (Robert Frost was his close rival.) Robinson’s standing declined after his death; twenty years ago Robinson was known only for a few anthology pieces. However, four new books of selections of his poems, a reference guide, and a full biography have appeared since 1991.
Robinson was born in Head Tide, Maine, on December 22, 1869, the unexpected third
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Citation: Hendricks, Ted. "Edwin Arlington Robinson". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 26 May 2009 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=3818, accessed 23 November 2024.]
