# Edna St. Vincent Millay

> American poet (1892–1950)

**Wikidata**: [Q62134](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q62134)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edna_St._Vincent_Millay)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/edna-st-vincent-millay

## Summary
Edna St. Vincent Millay was an American poet (1892–1950) known for her modernist works that blended classical influences with contemporary themes. She was a Pulitzer Prize winner and a prominent figure in 20th-century American literature, celebrated for her innovative use of language and emotional depth in poetry.

## Biography
- Born: February 22, 1892, in Rockland, Maine, United States
- Nationality: American
- Education: Attended Vassar College (1910–1914) and studied at the Sorbonne in Paris (1914–1915)
- Known for: Pioneering modernist poetry with works like *A Few Figs from Thistles* and *The Ballad of the Harp-Weaver*
- Employer(s): Vassar College (faculty member)
- Field(s): Poetry, literature

## Contributions
- **Pulitzer Prize for Poetry (1923)**: Awarded for her collection *A Few Figs from Thistles*, marking her as the first woman to win the prize in this category.
- **Notable Poetry Collections**: Published works including *The Ballad of the Harp-Weaver* (1926) and *The Sonnets of William Blake* (1928), which reinterpreted classical poetry.
- **Librettist**: Collaborated on the opera *The Ballad of Baby Doe* (1929), contributing to the intersection of poetry and music.
- **Academic Influence**: Taught at Vassar College, shaping the literary education of future generations.

## FAQs
**What was Edna St. Vincent Millay's most famous work?**
Her most celebrated work is *A Few Figs from Thistles* (1922), which won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry and established her as a leading modernist poet.

**Where did Edna St. Vincent Millay study?**
She attended Vassar College (1910–1914) and later studied at the Sorbonne in Paris (1914–1915).

**Did Edna St. Vincent Millay win any major awards?**
Yes, she won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1923 for *A Few Figs from Thistles*, becoming the first woman to achieve this distinction.

**What was Edna St. Vincent Millay's educational background?**
She earned degrees from Vassar College and studied at the Sorbonne, where she engaged with European literary traditions.

**How did Edna St. Vincent Millay contribute to the arts?**
She was a poet, translator, and librettist, blending classical influences with modernist themes in her works.

## Why They Matter
Edna St. Vincent Millay's work revolutionized American poetry by introducing modernist techniques and emotional intensity. Her Pulitzer Prize-winning collection *A Few Figs from Thistles* set a new standard for poetic expression, influencing generations of writers. As a pioneer in modernist poetry, she bridged traditional and contemporary forms, leaving a lasting legacy in literature. Her ability to reinterpret classical texts and her innovative use of language continue to inspire poets today.

## Notable For
- First woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry (1923)
- Pioneer of modernist poetry in America
- Author of *A Few Figs from Thistles*, a landmark modernist collection
- Librettist for the opera *The Ballad of the Harp-Weaver*
- Educator at Vassar College, shaping literary education

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Edna St. Vincent Millay was born on February 22, 1892, in Rockland, Maine. She attended Vassar College from 1910 to 1914, where she studied literature and art. After graduating, she pursued further studies at the Sorbonne in Paris from 1914 to 1915, immersing herself in European literary traditions.

### Literary Career
Millay began publishing poetry in the early 1920s, gaining recognition for her modernist style. Her debut collection, *A Few Figs from Thistles* (1922), won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1923, making her the first woman to achieve this distinction. The collection was praised for its emotional depth and innovative use of language, establishing her as a leading voice in American modernism.

### Notable Works
Her subsequent works included *The Ballad of the Harp-Weaver* (1926), which explored themes of love and loss, and *The Sonnets of William Blake* (1928), a reinterpretation of the poet's works. Millay also contributed to the arts as a librettist, collaborating on the opera *The Ballad of Baby Doe* (1929), which combined poetry with music.

### Academic Influence
Millay taught at Vassar College, where she mentored future literary figures. Her teaching and writing shaped the literary education of students, contributing to the college's reputation as a center for creative expression.

### Legacy
Edna St. Vincent Millay's work continues to be studied and celebrated for its modernist innovations and emotional resonance. Her ability to blend classical influences with contemporary themes has left a lasting impact on American poetry. As a pioneer in modernist literature, she remains a significant figure in the history of American poetry.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. Genealogics
4. WikiTree
5. American Women Writers
6. Find a Grave
7. [Source](https://www.pulitzer.org/winners/edna-st-vincent-millay)
8. [Source](https://poetrysociety.org/award-winners/name/frost-award)
9. International Standard Name Identifier
10. IMDb
11. MusicBrainz
12. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
13. SNAC
14. Internet Broadway Database
15. International Music Score Library Project
16. Millay, Edna St. Vincent (22 February 1892–19 October 1950), poet
17. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
18. Discogs
19. FemBio database
20. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
21. GeneaStar
22. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
23. CONOR.SI
24. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
25. Quora
26. Enciclopedia Treccani
27. LIBRIS. 2005
28. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands