Richard Wilbur

Richard Wilbur was a renowned American poet, translator, and professor, known for his elegant and precise style, which was influenced by W.H. Auden, T.S. Eliot, and Wallace Stevens. He was a key figure in the New Formalism movement, which sought to revive traditional forms and techniques in poetry, and was associated with poets such as Dana Gioia and Timothy Steele. Wilbur's work was widely acclaimed, and he was awarded numerous honors, including the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry and the National Book Award. His poetry was also influenced by his love of France and French literature, particularly the works of Paul Valéry and Guillaume Apollinaire.

● Early Life and Education

Richard Wilbur was born in New York City to a family of English and French descent, and spent his childhood in New Jersey and Connecticut. He developed an interest in poetry at an early age, and was particularly drawn to the works of John Keats, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and Lord Byron. Wilbur attended Amherst College, where he studied English literature and was influenced by professors such as Reuben Brower and Dwight Macdonald. After graduating from Amherst, Wilbur went on to study at Harvard University, where he earned a master's degree in English literature and was influenced by scholars such as I.A. Richards and William Empson.

● Career

Wilbur began his career as a poet in the 1940s, publishing his first collection, The Beautiful Changes, in 1947. He went on to publish numerous collections, including Ceremony and Other Poems and Things of This World, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1957. Wilbur was also a prolific translator, and his translations of Molière's Tartuffe and The School for Wives are still widely performed today. He taught at several universities, including Harvard University, Wesleyan University, and Smith College, and was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Wilbur's poetry was also influenced by his love of music, particularly the works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven.

● Poetry and Style

Wilbur's poetry is known for its elegance, precision, and depth, and is characterized by its use of traditional forms and techniques, such as sonnets and villanelles. His poetry often explores themes of nature, love, and morality, and is influenced by the works of William Shakespeare, John Donne, and George Herbert. Wilbur's style is also notable for its use of imagery and symbolism, which adds complexity and depth to his poetry. He was particularly drawn to the works of French Symbolism, particularly the poetry of Charles Baudelaire and Stéphane Mallarmé. Wilbur's poetry was also influenced by his interest in philosophy, particularly the works of Plato and Aristotle.

● Awards and Honors

Wilbur won numerous awards and honors for his poetry, including the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry and the National Book Award. He was also awarded the Bollingen Prize in American Poetry and the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize, and was appointed as the Poet Laureate of the United States from 1987 to 1988. Wilbur was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and was awarded honorary degrees from numerous universities, including Harvard University, Yale University, and Oxford University. He was also a fellow of the Guggenheim Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.

● Personal Life

Wilbur was married to Charlee Wilbur and had four children, and lived in Belmont, Massachusetts for many years. He was a private person and preferred to keep a low profile, but was known for his wit and humor, and was a popular teacher and lecturer. Wilbur was also a talented musician and artist, and enjoyed playing the piano and painting in his spare time. He was a close friend of many notable writers and artists, including Robert Frost, E.E. Cummings, and Andrew Wyeth.

● Legacy

Wilbur's legacy as a poet and translator is still widely felt today, and his poetry continues to be widely read and studied. He is remembered as one of the most important American poets of the 20th century, and his work has had a significant influence on many other writers, including Seamus Heaney, Derek Walcott, and Mark Strand. Wilbur's translations of Molière and other French playwrights are still widely performed today, and his poetry has been translated into numerous languages, including French, Spanish, and German. He is also remembered as a dedicated teacher and mentor, and his influence can be seen in the work of many younger poets and writers, including Jorie Graham and Mark Doty. Category:American poets