RICHARD CORY
BY EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON
Edwin Arlington Robinson (1869-1935) described his
childhood in Maine as “stark and unhappy,” and the
poet and playwright clearly had things to be unhappy
about. The sudden death of his father ended his
university studies; he was rejected by the woman he
loved, who went on to marry his brother; another
brother suffered through painful addiction. His poetry,
however, did deliver some solace. His second book,
Children of the Night, came to the attention of
President Theodore Roosevelt, who secured Robinson
a stable income so that he could continue to write.
Robinson’s poetry is noted by its ironic tone and
pessimistic undercurrents.