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Nancy Milford

12quotes

Nancy Milford


Full Name and Common Aliases


Nancy Hoberman Milford

Birth and Death Dates


Born: March 18, 1938
Died: August 21, 1992

Nationality and Profession(s)


American author, critic, and biographer

Early Life and Background


Nancy Milford was born in New York City to a family of modest means. Her early life was marked by financial struggles, which instilled in her a strong work ethic and dedication to education. She grew up surrounded by books and developed a passion for literature from an young age.

Major Accomplishments


Milford's most notable achievement is her Pulitzer Prize-winning biography, _Savage Beauty: The Life of Edna St. Vincent Millay_. Published in 1981, the book provides an intimate portrait of the celebrated poet Edna St. Vincent Millay and offers a nuanced exploration of her life, work, and times.

Notable Works or Actions


In addition to her biography on Edna St. Vincent Millay, Milford was also the author of several other notable works, including _Zelda: A Biography_ (1970), which examines the life and art of Zelda Fitzgerald. Her writing often explored themes of creativity, identity, and the complexities of female experience.

Impact and Legacy


Milford's work had a profound impact on the literary world, influencing generations of writers, scholars, and readers alike. Her biographies are renowned for their meticulous research, vivid characterization, and thought-provoking analysis. As a writer and critic, she was particularly drawn to the lives of women artists and writers who defied conventions in pursuit of creative expression.

Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered


Nancy Milford is widely quoted and remembered for her incisive insights into the human experience and her commitment to shedding light on the stories of often-overlooked women. Her writing continues to inspire and captivate readers, offering a powerful reminder of the enduring importance of literature as a reflection of our collective hopes, fears, and desires.

As an author, critic, and biographer, Nancy Milford left an indelible mark on the literary landscape. Her work not only celebrates the lives and achievements of women artists but also explores the complex interplay between creativity, identity, and society. Her legacy serves as a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

Quotes by Nancy Milford

There are all kinds of love in the world, but never the same love twice.
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There are all kinds of love in the world, but never the same love twice.
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The hats were nearly all as though made by somebody who had once heard about flowers but never seen one huge muffs of horror.
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The hats were nearly all as though made by somebody who had once heard about flowers but never seen one huge muffs of horror.
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I hope I’ll never get ambitious enough to try anything. It’s so much nicer to be damned sure I could do it better than other people – and I might not could if I tried...
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I hope I’ll never get ambitious enough to try anything. It’s so much nicer to be damned sure I could do it better than other people – and I might not could if I tried...
NM
In reality, there is no materialist like the artist, asking back from life the double and the wastage and the cost on what he puts out in emotional usury.
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In reality, there is no materialist like the artist, asking back from life the double and the wastage and the cost on what he puts out in emotional usury.
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Life is impermanent and in the face of that impermanence, cavort! Look death in the eye, tell him you’re as cute as a button, flash a little deviant guile his way, and tell him to go feast on somebody’s else’s sweet flesh.
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Life is impermanent and in the face of that impermanence, cavort! Look death in the eye, tell him you’re as cute as a button, flash a little deviant guile his way, and tell him to go feast on somebody’s else’s sweet flesh.
NM
To be a biographer is a somewhat peculiar endeavor. It seems to me it requires not only the tact, patience, and thoroughness of a scholar but the stamina of a horse.
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To be a biographer is a somewhat peculiar endeavor. It seems to me it requires not only the tact, patience, and thoroughness of a scholar but the stamina of a horse.
NM
It was not, Zelda wrote, prosperity or the softness of life, or any instability that marred the war generation; it was a great emotional disappointment resulting from the fact that life moved in poetic gestures when they were younger and had since settled back into buffoonery.
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It was not, Zelda wrote, prosperity or the softness of life, or any instability that marred the war generation; it was a great emotional disappointment resulting from the fact that life moved in poetic gestures when they were younger and had since settled back into buffoonery.
NM
I hope I'll never get ambitious enough to try anything. It's so much nicer to be damned sure I could do it better than other people - and I might not could if I tried...
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I hope I'll never get ambitious enough to try anything. It's so much nicer to be damned sure I could do it better than other people - and I might not could if I tried...
NM
But it was not her beauty that was arresting. It was her style, a sort of insolence toward life, her total lack of caution, her fearless and abundant pride.
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But it was not her beauty that was arresting. It was her style, a sort of insolence toward life, her total lack of caution, her fearless and abundant pride.
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I never cry at the theatre. It seems to me that I feel things far too deeply, too deep down in my heart, to---to splash on top!
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I never cry at the theatre. It seems to me that I feel things far too deeply, too deep down in my heart, to---to splash on top!
NM
#feelings #emotion #crying
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