# Wallace Stevens > American poet (1879–1955) **Wikidata**: [Q166835](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q166835) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallace_Stevens) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/wallace-stevens ## Summary Wallace Stevens was an American poet and lawyer, born in 1879 and deceased in 1955. He is primarily known for his influential contributions to modernist poetry and his dual career in law and literature. Stevens is widely regarded as one of the most significant American poets of the 20th century, particularly for his work in exploring the intersection of imagination and reality. ## Biography - Born: October 2, 1879 - Nationality: United States of America - Education: Harvard University (law school), New York Law School - Known for: Poetry, particularly "The Man with the Blue Guitar" and "Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird" - Employer(s): The Hartford Insurance Company (legal career) - Field(s): Poetry, law ## Contributions Wallace Stevens made significant contributions to American poetry and literature. His works are known for their philosophical depth and exploration of the imagination. Notable contributions include: - Publication of "Harmonium" (1923) — a collection that established his poetic voice. - "The Man with the Blue Guitar" (1937) — a reflection on the nature of art and reality. - "Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird" — a modernist masterpiece that reimagines perspective. - "The Necessary Angel" (1951) — a collection of essays on poetry and the role of the imagination. - "The Auroras of Autumn" (1950) — a celebrated late-career collection. - "The Collected Poems" (1954) — which won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1952. ## FAQs ### What is Wallace Stevens known for? Wallace Stevens is known for his contributions to modernist poetry and his philosophical explorations of imagination and reality. His work is considered foundational in 20th-century American literature. ### What are some of Wallace Stevens's most famous works? His most famous works include "Harmonium" (1923), "Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird," "The Man with the Blue Guitar" (1937), and "The Necessary Angel" (1951). ### Did Wallace Stevens receive any awards? Yes, Stevens was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1952 for "The Collected Poems." He also received the Bollingen Prize and the Robert Frost Medal. ### What was Wallace Stevens's career outside of poetry? Wallace Stevens worked as a lawyer and was employed by The Hartford Insurance Company, where he had a long and successful legal career. ### What educational background did Wallace Stevens have? Stevens was educated at Harvard University and New York Law School, which prepared him for his career in law. ### What themes are prominent in Wallace Stevens's poetry? His poetry often explores the interplay between reality and imagination, the nature of art, and the role of the poet in society. ## Why They Matter Wallace Stevens matters because he redefined modernist poetry in America. His work bridged the gap between philosophical inquiry and poetic expression, influencing generations of poets and thinkers. His legacy includes not only his literary output but also his role in shaping the intellectual landscape of 20th-century poetry. His influence extends to poets like John Ashbery and Mark Strand, and his ideas on imagination continue to be studied in academic and literary circles. ## Notable For - Pulitzer Prize for Poetry recipient (1952) - Author of "Harmonium" (1923), a landmark of modernist poetry - Writer of "Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird" - Recipient of the Bollingen Prize - Recipient of the Robert Frost Medal - Longtime vice president at The Hartford Insurance Company - Member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters - Educated at Harvard University and New York Law School - Author of "The Necessary Angel" (1951), a key work of poetic theory - Explored the philosophical dimensions of imagination in poetry ## Body ### Early Life and Education Wallace Stevens was born on October 2, 1879. He pursued higher education at Harvard University and later at New York Law School. His early exposure to both law and literature laid the foundation for his dual career as a poet and legal professional. ### Career Stevens worked for The Hartford Insurance Company for most of his professional life, rising to the position of vice president. Despite his legal career, he became one of the most significant poets of the 20th century, publishing influential works that redefined modernist poetry. ### Publications and Literary Contributions Stevens's poetry is characterized by its philosophical depth and exploration of the imagination. His major publications include: - "Harmonium" (1923) — established his poetic voice with its unique blend of musicality and metaphysical inquiry. - "The Man with the Blue Guitar" (1937) — a complex meditation on the nature of art and reality. - "Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird" — a modernist masterpiece that reimagines perspective. - "The Necessary Angel" (1951) — a collection of essays that examine the role of poetry in society. - "The Auroras of Autumn" (1950) — a late-career collection that won critical acclaim. - "The Collected Poems" (1954) — which won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1952. ### Awards and Recognition Stevens received several prestigious awards, including: - The Pulitzer Prize for Poetry (1952) - The Bollingen Prize - The Robert Frost Medal These awards underscored his influence in American poetry and literary criticism. ### Legacy and Influence Wallace Stevens's work continues to influence poets and scholars. His exploration of imagination and reality set a new standard for modernist poetry. His legacy includes shaping the intellectual and artistic framework for 20th-century American letters, influencing poets like John Ashbery and Mark Strand. ### Affiliations and Memberships Stevens was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, a testament to his standing in the literary community. His work continues to be studied for its philosophical depth and linguistic innovation. ### Personal Life and Death Wallace Stevens passed away on August 2, 1955. His life's work remains a cornerstone of American literature, with his poetry and essays continuing to be widely read and studied. ## References 1. [Source](http://bollingen.yale.edu/poet/wallace-stevens) 2. BnF authorities 3. The Fine Art Archive 4. [Source](https://www.pulitzer.org/prize-winners-by-category/224) 5. [Source](https://www.nationalbook.org/books/the-auroras-of-autumn/) 6. [Source](https://www.nationalbook.org/books/the-collected-poems-of-wallace-stevens/) 7. [Source](https://poetrysociety.org/award-winners/name/frost-award) 8. International Standard Name Identifier 9. Virtual International Authority File 10. CiNii Research 11. IMDb 12. MusicBrainz 13. Online Archive of California 14. [Source](http://hdl.handle.net/10079/fa/beinecke.stevensw) 15. Encyclopædia Britannica Online 16. SNAC 17. Find a Grave 18. International Music Score Library Project 19. Internet Speculative Fiction Database 20. Discogs 21. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie 22. Great Norwegian Encyclopedia 23. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 24. CONOR.SI 25. Autoritats UB 26. [Source](https://digitalarchives.broward.org/digital/collection/p16146coll7) 27. LIBRIS. 2018 28. Catalogo of the National Library of India