Robert Pinsky
Robert Pinsky
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Full Name and Common Aliases
Robert Pinsky was born as Robert Eliot Pinsky on October 20, 1940. He is commonly known by his surname.
Birth and Death Dates
October 20, 1940 - May 25, 2021
Nationality and Profession(s)
American poet, critic, educator, and translator. Pinsky held multiple roles in academia and government throughout his career.
Early Life and Background
Pinsky was born in Long Branch, New Jersey, to a family of modest means. His parents, both immigrants from Poland, instilled in him a love for literature and learning. He grew up with an older brother and younger sister in a household that valued education above material possessions.
As a young man, Pinsky attended Princeton University, where he studied English Literature and developed his passion for poetry. During this time, he became acquainted with the works of modernist poets such as T.S. Eliot and Wallace Stevens. After completing his undergraduate degree, Pinsky went on to earn his Ph.D. in English from Harvard University.
Major Accomplishments
Throughout his career, Pinsky has made significant contributions to the world of literature and academia:
Poet Laureate: From 1997 to 2000, Pinsky served as the Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress. This esteemed position allowed him to promote poetry and engage with audiences nationwide.
Academic Leadership: Pinsky held various roles at institutions such as Boston University, where he taught English and Comparative Literature for over three decades. He was also a professor emeritus at New York University's Institute for the Study of the Ancient World.
Literary Translations: Pinsky is renowned for his translations of works by Italian poets, including Petrarch, Boccaccio, and Leopardi.Notable Works or Actions
Some notable works and actions that have cemented Pinsky's legacy include:
*Anchored in the Bay: This collection of poetry explores themes of love, loss, and identity. It showcases Pinsky's mastery of language and form.
*The Life Long: As part of his tenure as Poet Laureate, Pinsky curated a series of readings and discussions that focused on American poetry from the 19th century to the present day.Impact and Legacy
Pinsky has made a lasting impact on the literary world through his advocacy for poetry, translation work, and academic leadership:
Promoting Poetry: During his tenure as Poet Laureate, Pinsky traveled extensively throughout the country, delivering readings and lectures that highlighted the importance of poetry in American culture.
Translation and Scholarship: His translations have introduced readers to the rich literary heritage of Italy, while his scholarly work has shed light on the historical context of Italian literature.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Pinsky's enduring legacy can be attributed to several factors:
*Thought-provoking poetry: Pinsky's work often explores complex themes and emotions with a unique perspective, making him widely quoted for his insightful commentary.
Academic contributions: His commitment to literary scholarship and translation has not only expanded the understanding of Italian literature but also inspired generations of scholars and writers.
Through his groundbreaking work as poet, critic, educator, and translator, Robert Pinsky left an indelible mark on American culture.
Quotes by Robert Pinsky
Robert Pinsky's insights on:
The last thing a young artist should do in poetry or any other field is think about what's in style, what's current, what are the trends. Think instead of what you like to read, what do you admire, what you like to listen to in music. What do you like to look at in architecture? Try to make a poem that has some of those qualities.
A sentence is like a tune. A memorable sentence gives its emotion a melodic shape. You want to hear it again, say it – in a way, to hum it to yourself. You desire, if only in the sound studio of your imagination, to repeat the physical experience of that sentence. That craving, emotional and intellectual but beginning in the body with a certain gesture of sound, is near the heart of poetry.
The medium of poetry is not words, the medium of poetry is not lines-it is the motion of air inside the human body, coming out through the chest and the voice box and through the mouth to shape sounds that have meaning. It’s bodily.
Poetry’s medium is not merely light as air, it is air: vital and deep as ordinary breath.
The poetry I love is written with someone’s voice and I believe its proper culmination is to be read with someone’s voice. And the human voice in that sense is not electronically reproduced or amplified.
If a poem is written well, it was written with the poet’s voice and for a voice. Reading a poem silently instead of saying a poem is like the difference between staring at sheet music and actually humming or playing the music on an instrument.
Whatever makes a child want to glue macaroni on a paper plate and paint the assemblage and see it on the refrigerator – that has always been strong in me.
Poetry's medium is not merely light as air, it is air: vital and deep as ordinary breath.
