Edna St. Vincent Millay
Biography of Edna St. Vincent Millay
Full Name and Common Aliases
Edna St. Vincent Millay, often referred to simply as Vincent by her friends and family, was a renowned American poet and playwright. Her distinctive voice and bold approach to both her personal life and her work have left an indelible mark on American literature.
Birth and Death Dates
Edna St. Vincent Millay was born on February 22, 1892, and she passed away on October 19, 1950. Her life spanned a period of significant cultural and social change in the United States, which is reflected in her work.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Millay was an American poet and playwright. She was one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, known for her lyrical poetry and her mastery of traditional forms. Her work often explored themes of love, nature, and the human condition, and she was a leading figure in the cultural movement known as the Jazz Age.
Early Life and Background
Edna St. Vincent Millay was born in Rockland, Maine, and raised in the coastal town of Camden. Her parents, Cora Lounella and Henry Tollman Millay, divorced when she was young, leaving her mother to raise Edna and her two sisters. Cora was a strong influence on Edna, encouraging her literary talents from an early age. Millay's early exposure to literature and music, combined with the natural beauty of her surroundings, deeply influenced her poetic sensibilities.
Millay's education began in local schools, but her talent soon earned her a scholarship to Vassar College, where she honed her craft and developed her distinctive voice. Her time at Vassar was marked by both academic success and a rebellious spirit, traits that would characterize her life and work.
Major Accomplishments
Edna St. Vincent Millay's career was marked by numerous accomplishments. In 1923, she became the third woman to receive the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, awarded for her collection "The Ballad of the Harp-Weaver." This recognition solidified her status as one of the leading poets of her time.
Millay was also a prominent figure in the cultural and social circles of New York City during the 1920s and 1930s. Her work was celebrated for its technical skill and emotional depth, and she was a popular performer, known for her captivating readings.
Notable Works or Actions
Millay's body of work is extensive and varied, but several pieces stand out for their impact and enduring popularity. Her sonnet "What lips my lips have kissed, and where, and why" is a poignant reflection on love and loss, showcasing her ability to blend personal emotion with universal themes.
Her play "Aria da Capo" is another notable work, a one-act play that uses allegory to comment on the futility of war and the cyclical nature of human conflict. This work, like much of her poetry, demonstrates her keen insight into human nature and her ability to address complex themes with clarity and grace.
Impact and Legacy
Edna St. Vincent Millay's impact on American literature is profound. She was a trailblazer for women in the arts, challenging societal norms and paving the way for future generations of female writers. Her work is celebrated for its technical brilliance and emotional resonance, and she remains a beloved figure in the literary canon.
Millay's influence extends beyond her poetry. She was an outspoken advocate for social and political causes, including women's rights and pacifism. Her commitment to these issues, combined with her literary achievements, has cemented her legacy as both an artist and an activist.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Edna St. Vincent Millay is widely quoted and remembered for her ability to capture the complexities of human emotion with precision and beauty. Her work resonates with readers for its exploration of themes such as love, mortality, and the passage of time. Her sonnets, in particular, are celebrated for their lyrical quality and emotional depth.
Millay's life and work continue to inspire and challenge readers, offering insights into the human experience that are as relevant today as they were in her time. Her legacy as a pioneering poet and a voice for social change ensures that she remains a vital figure in American literature and culture.
Quotes by Edna St. Vincent Millay
Edna St. Vincent Millay's insights on:
Where you used to be, there is a hole in the world, which I find myself constantly walking around in the day-time, and falling into at night.
And people standing in their shade / Out of a shower, undoubtedly / Would hear such music as is made / Upon a country tree.
The trees along this city street, / Save for the traffic and the trains, / Would make a sound as thin and sweet / As trees in country lanes.
Little skinny shoulder-blades sticking through your clothes! And where you'll get a jacket from God above knows.
And if I loved you Wednesday, / Well, what is that to you? / I do not love you Thursday— / So much is true.
Where you used to be, there is a hole in the world, which I find myself constantly walking around in the daytime, and falling in at night, I miss you like hell.
I know I am but summer to your heart, And not the full four seasons of the year...
Where you used to be, there is a hole in the world, which I find myself constantly walking around in the daytime, and falling into at night. I miss you like hell.
What lips my lips have kissed, and where, and why, / I have forgotten, and what arms have lain / Under my head till morning.