Robert Frost (d. 1963)

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Biography

Robert Lee Frost was an American poet. Known for his realistic depictions of rural life and his command of American colloquial speech, Frost frequently wrote about settings from rural life in New England in the early 20th century, using them to examine complex social and philosophical themes.

In Their Own Words (5)

But he sent her Good-by, And said to be good, And wear her red hood, And look for skunk tracks In the snow with an ax — And do everything!

The Last Word of a Blue Bird , 1916

He moves in darkness as it seems to me, Not of woods only and the shade of trees. He will not go behind his father's saying, And he likes having thought of it so well He says again, “Good fences make good neighbours.”

Mending Wall, l. 41 , 1914

Something there is that doesn’t love a wall, That sends the frozen-ground-swell under it, And spills the upper boulders in the sun; And makes gaps even two can pass abreast.

Mending Wall, l. 1 , 1914

Before I built a wall I'd ask to know What I was walling in or walling out, And to whom I was like to give offence. Something there is that doesn't love a wall, That wants it down.

Mending Wall, l. 32 , 1914

Her crop was a miscellany When all was said and done, A little bit of everything, A great deal of none.

A Girl's Garden , 1916

Timeline

The story of Robert Frost, told in moments.

1912 Life

Moved to England at 38 after failing as a farmer in New Hampshire. Published his first collection, A Boy's Will, in London. He was unknown in America.

Why did it take moving to England at 38 to get published? Was farming in New Hampshire failure or fuel? Did London feel like surrender or strategy?

1915 Event

Returned to America. His second book, North of Boston, had made him famous back home while he was overseas. "Mending Wall" and "The Death of the Hired Man" were praised.

How did it feel to be famous back home while living overseas? Was 'Mending Wall' about actual neighbors or something deeper? Did returning to America feel like triumph?

1924 Event

Won the first of four Pulitzer Prizes for poetry. No other poet has won it four times. "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" became one of the most-quoted poems in English.

Does four Pulitzer Prizes feel like validation or just repetition? What do you hear when people quote 'Stopping by Woods'? Is being the most-quoted poet a blessing or a misread?

1961 Event

Recited "The Gift Outright" at John F. Kennedy's inauguration. The sun was so bright he couldn't read his new poem. He recited from memory instead. He was 86.

What was it like reciting from memory at Kennedy's inauguration? Did the blinding sun feel like fate? Was 86 too old for that stage or exactly right?