Robert Penn Warren was an American poet born in Kentucky in 1905. Today, he is remembered for his poetry, criticism, and novels. He taught at Louisiana State University, where he founded and edited the well-known The Southern Review.
Poet Overview
Born: Guthrie, Kentucky, April 24, 1905.
Robert Penn Warren began his life growing up with his family on the border of Kentucky and Tennessee. He was born at the start of the 20th century, on April 24, 1905. They chose Guthrie as their town of choice, living with his parents, Robert Warren and Anna Penn.
Tragically, at the young age of 16, Warren had his left eye removed, which might have contributed to his venture into poetry. Due to his limited eyesight, he was no longer eligible for the U.S. Naval Academy. With the door closing on this dream, he would excel further in his studies and poetry.
After spending a short time at high school in Clarksville, Tennessee, Warren took a big step forward and joined Vanderbilt University at the age of 16. This move would prove to give him an insight into the minds of well-respected literary figures such as Allen Tate, John Crowe Ransom, and Andrew Lytle.
It was only a year previous that Warren published his debut poem ‘Prophecy.’ His education went from strength to strength. Berkeley, California, became home for a short while as he completed his Master of Arts degree. His talent was recognized by Yale University and then Oxford University. He became a Rhodes Scholar in 1928 and earned his B.Litt. in 1930.
Between 1935 and 1939, Warren made some strides in the literary world. He joined up with Cleanth Brooks to found The Southern Review journal for literature at the beginning of the period. After spending numerous years developing as a writer, his debut novel, Night Rider, was seen in 1939.
Warren’s career trajectory remained on a steep incline for the most part, as in 1944, he began a spell as a Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress, which is an incredible achievement for an aspiring writer. The accolades would not stop there, with him winning a Pulitzer Prize in 1946 for his iconic All the King’s Men.
Throughout his life, Warren would get married twice. In 1952, after wedding Emma Brescia, Warren and Eleanor Clark tied the knot. Clark and Warren were a good match on paper, as she was also a respected author.
While not having any children with Brescia, he raised two children with Clark. Only a year after their wedding, Rosanna Phelps Warren was born, and Gabriel Penn Warren followed soon after in 1955.
Warren began to feed his social beliefs into his works, exploring issues such as race and social injustice. He published Segregation: The Inner Conflict in the South and Who Speaks for the Negro? in 1956 and 1965, respectively; both of the pieces look at racial integration and society’s view on race issues.
Another Pulitzer Prize headed Warren’s way in 1958. This time it was his poetry that was nominated. His win with Promises: Poems 1954-1956 made him the first and only writer to win the Pulitzer Prize for poetry and prose. This forever cemented his name in the history books.
Until his death in 1989, Warren won accolade after accolade, with arguably his most iconic win coming in the form of a Presidential Medal of Freedom. President Jimmy Carter gave him the honor in recognition of his contribution to literature. In 1986, he made history again by becoming the first U.S. Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry. With other roles like the Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets and another Pulitzer Prize win for Now and Then, his legacy was there for everyone to see.
Unfortunately, on September 15th, 1989, in Stratton, Vermont, Robert Penn Warren lost his life after having issues with prostate cancer.
Collections
Promises: Poems 1954–1956, 1957
Selected Poems: New and Old 1923–1966, 1966
Incarnations: Poems 1966–1968, 1968
Audubon: A Vision, 1969
Selected Poems 1923–1975, 1976
Famous Poems
- ‘Evening Hawk‘ – ‘Evening Hawk’ showcases Warren’s love for rich imagery and metaphysical symbolism. The hawk serves as a powerful vehicle for a series of revelations about our place in the universe.
- ‘Bearded Oaks‘ – ‘Bearded Oaks’ was first published in Poetry magazine in 1937 and has steadily gained popularity since then. It is a complex, image-rich poem that describes an eternal moment between two lovers.
- ‘Tell Me a Story‘ – ‘Tell Me a Story’ by Robert Penn Warren is the last section of Warren’s book-length poem ‘Audubon: A Vision‘ published in 1969. This poem reveals the hollowness of modernity and the ravages of time.
Poetry Style
Regionalism and Southern Identity
As a Southern man through-and-through, Warren utilized the history of the south in his poetry. He infused his writings with the Southern landscape, culture, and the uniqueness of the region.
Imagery
Warren used a combination of his knowledge and imagination of the South to create settings that make you feel like you know the region. His imagery is vivid, and he uses lyrical language to bring the atmosphere to the audience.
Reflection
Warren’s poetry has the ability to ponder on ideas and can present a more reflective and contemplative tone. His poems are often meditative and require the audience to introspect and weigh up philosophical concepts.
Transition and Evolution
In order to become a truly masterful poet, there needs to be a developmental and experimental mindset alongside a willingness to evolve. Warren had this in spades, as he had noticeable periods of change within his work. His early works exhibit more traditional forms and themes, while his later poetry tends to embrace more free verse and contemporary explorations of memory, nature, and existential musings.
Humanity and Nature Connection
In exploring the South in his works, Warren inherently has to address the natural world. However, he goes one step further by analyzing the connection between us everyday humans and the everpresent influence of nature around us.
Timeline
Robert Penn Warren is born in Guthrie, Kentucky, to Robert Warren and Anna Penn.
Publishes his first poem, ‘Prophecy,’ in The Messkit after an accident leads to the loss of his left eye.
Attends Vanderbilt University, where he met Allen Tate, John Crowe Ransom, and Andrew Lytle.
Completes his Master of Arts degree at the University of California, Berkeley, and moves to Yale University.
Becomes a Rhodes Scholar at New College, Oxford.
Co-founds The Southern Review literary journal with Cleanth Brooks.
Publishes his debut novel, Night Rider.
Serves as Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress.
Pulitzer Prize for the Novel All the King’s Men
Marries Eleanor Clark, an esteemed author in her own right, and they have two children together.
Publishes Segregation: The Inner Conflict in the South
Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for Promises: Poems 1954–1956
Serves as a Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets
Awarded the Jefferson Lecture, created Poetry and Democracy
Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for Now and Then
Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Jimmy Carter
Named the first U.S. Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry
Passes away in Stratton, Vermont, due to complications from prostate cancer
Did you know?
Robert Penn Warren was not only a literary great, but also a talented boxer. In his youth, he was a champion bantamweight boxer at Guthrie High School in Kentucky.
Her Inspirations include:
Achievements
Guggenheim Poetry Fellow
Pulitzer Prize for the Novel, 1947
All the King’s Men
Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, 1958 & 1979
Promises: Poems 1954–1956 & Now and Then
