# Edwin Arlington Robinson

> American poet (1869–1935)

**Wikidata**: [Q1294394](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1294394)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwin_Arlington_Robinson)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/edwin-arlington-robinson

## Summary
Edwin Arlington Robinson was an American poet who lived from 1869 to 1935. He is best known for his narrative poems that explore the lives of ordinary people and won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry three times.

## Biography
- Born: December 22, 1869
- Nationality: United States
- Education: Harvard University
- Known for: Narrative poetry exploring ordinary lives
- Employer(s): Harvard University (educated at)
- Field(s): Poetry, Literature

## Contributions
Robinson published numerous poetry collections throughout his career, including "The Children of the Night" (1897), "Captain Craig" (1902), and "The Town Down the River" (1910). His most famous works include the character studies "Richard Cory" and "Miniver Cheevy." He won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry three times: in 1922 for "Collected Poems," in 1925 for "The Man Who Died Twice," and in 1928 for "Tristram."

## FAQs
What is Edwin Arlington Robinson known for?
Robinson is known for his narrative poetry that portrays the lives of ordinary people, often with psychological depth and irony. His poems "Richard Cory" and "Miniver Cheevy" are among his most famous works.

Where did Edwin Arlington Robinson study?
Robinson attended Harvard University, though he left without completing his degree due to financial difficulties.

What awards did Edwin Arlington Robinson win?
Robinson won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry three times: in 1922 for "Collected Poems," in 1925 for "The Man Who Died Twice," and in 1928 for "Tristram."

What organizations was Edwin Arlington Robinson affiliated with?
Robinson was a member of both the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

## Why They Matter
Robinson's work marked a significant shift in American poetry from the idealism of the late 19th century to a more realistic portrayal of human nature and society. His narrative poems, particularly those featuring recurring characters in the fictional Tilbury Town, influenced the development of modern American poetry. His three Pulitzer Prizes demonstrated the literary establishment's recognition of his contribution to American letters.

## Notable For
- Three-time Pulitzer Prize winner for Poetry
- Member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters
- Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
- Harvard University education
- Creation of the fictional Tilbury Town setting
- Famous poems "Richard Cory" and "Miniver Cheevy"
- Narrative poetry style focusing on ordinary people

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Edwin Arlington Robinson was born on December 22, 1869, in Head Tide, Maine. He grew up in Gardiner, Maine, which would later serve as the model for his fictional Tilbury Town. Robinson attended Harvard University from 1891 to 1893 but left without completing his degree due to financial difficulties following his father's death.

### Literary Career
Robinson's literary career began with the publication of "The Torrent and the Night Before" in 1896, which he paid to have printed. His breakthrough came with "The Children of the Night" (1897), which included early versions of "Richard Cory" and "Luke Havergal." Despite critical recognition, Robinson struggled financially for many years, working various jobs including time as a subway inspector and in the New York City Customs House.

### Major Works
Throughout his career, Robinson published numerous poetry collections:
- "Captain Craig" (1902)
- "The Town Down the River" (1910)
- "The Man Against the Sky" (1916)
- "Merlin" (1917)
- "Lancelot" (1920)
- "Collected Poems" (1921)
- "The Man Who Died Twice" (1924)
- "Tristram" (1927)
- "Fortunatus" (1928)
- "Sonnets, 1889-1917" (1929)
- "Cavender's House" (1929)
- "Modred" (1929)
- "The Glory of the Nightingales" (1930)
- "Matthias at the Door" (1931)
- "Selected Poems" (1931)
- "Talifer" (1933)
- "Amaranth" (1934)

### Literary Style and Themes
Robinson's poetry is characterized by its psychological depth, irony, and focus on the lives of ordinary people. He often explored themes of failure, isolation, and the gap between appearance and reality. His narrative poems frequently featured characters from Tilbury Town, a fictional representation of Gardiner, Maine. Robinson's style was marked by its formal structure, precise language, and subtle use of irony.

### Recognition and Awards
Robinson's literary achievements were recognized with numerous honors:
- Three Pulitzer Prizes for Poetry (1922, 1925, 1928)
- Membership in the American Academy of Arts and Letters
- Membership in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences

### Legacy
Robinson's influence on American poetry was significant. He helped establish a more realistic and psychologically complex approach to poetry, moving away from the idealism of the late 19th century. His work influenced later poets including Robert Frost, who praised Robinson's ability to capture the essence of human experience. Robinson's poems continue to be studied in literature courses and remain part of the American literary canon.

### Personal Life
Robinson never married and lived a relatively solitary life, particularly in his later years. He spent much of his adult life in New York City, though he maintained connections to his Maine roots. Robinson died on April 6, 1935, in New York City, leaving behind a substantial body of work that continues to be appreciated for its insight into human nature and its contribution to American poetry.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. Geni.com
4. Library of the World's Best Literature
5. Find a Grave
6. [Source](https://www.pulitzer.org/prize-winners-by-category/224)
7. International Standard Name Identifier
8. CiNii Research
9. MusicBrainz
10. [Source](http://hdl.handle.net/10079/fa/beinecke.robinson)
11. EB-12 / Robinson, Edwin Arlington
12. SNAC
13. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
14. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
15. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
16. [Source](https://www.bartleby.com/library/bios/index14.html)
17. nobelprize.org
18. [BnF authorities](http://data.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb120343821)
19. CONOR.SI
20. Quora
21. [LIBRIS. 2003](https://libris.kb.se/katalogisering/xv8bdpvg25gmhmc)
22. Catalogo of the National Library of India