Portrait of Robert Frost

Robert Frost

1874 - 1963

Born in San Francisco, California, USA

Robert Lee Frost was an American poet. His work was initially published in England before it was published in the United States. Known for his realistic depictions of rural life and his command of American colloquial speech, Frost frequently wrote about settings from rural life in New England in the early 20th century, using them to examine complex social and philosophical themes. Frost was honored frequently during his lifetime and is the only poet to receive four Pulitzer Prizes for Poetry. He became one of America's rare "public literary figures, almost an artistic institution." He was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 1960 for his poetic works. On July 22, 1961, Frost was named poet laureate of Vermont.

ā€œTwo roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.ā€

Timeline

1874

Born in San Francisco, California

1885

Moved to Lawrence, Massachusetts after father's death

1892

Graduated from Lawrence High School

1895

Married Elinor White

1897

Attended Harvard University (did not graduate)

1900

Moved to a farm in Derry, New Hampshire

1912

Moved to England with his family

1913

Published first poetry collection "A Boy's Will"

1915

Returned to the United States

1916

Published "The Road Not Taken" in Mountain Interval

1924

Won first Pulitzer Prize for "New Hampshire"

1940

Published "A Witness Tree"

1961

Recited "The Gift Outright" at President Kennedy's inauguration

1963

Died in Boston, Massachusetts

Notable Quote

ā€œ
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost

ā€

Influences

  • William Shakespeare
  • William Wordsworth
  • Ralph Waldo Emerson
  • Henry David Thoreau

Achievements

  • Four-time Pulitzer Prize winner (1924, 1931, 1937, 1943)
  • Congressional Gold Medal (1960)
  • Poet Laureate of Vermont (1961)
  • Performed at President John F. Kennedy's inauguration (1961)