Biography of joyce kilmer trees summary

American poet, editor, literary commentator, soldier

Joyce Kilmer
Kilmer's River University yearbook photograph, c. 1908
Born	Alfred Joyce Kilmer (1886-12-06)December 6, 1886 New Town, New Jersey, U.S.
Died	July 30, 1918(1918-07-30) (aged 31) near Seringes-et-Nesles, Marne, France
Cause of death	Killed in action
Occupation	Poet, journalist, editor, tutor, soldier
Alma mater	Columbia University (A.B. 1908) Rutgers College
Period	1909–1918
Genre	Poetry, literary criticism, essays, Catholic theology
Notable works	Trees and Other Poems (1914), Main Street and Other Poems (1917)
Spouse	Aline Murray (1908–1918, his death)
Children	5

Alfred Joyce Kilmer (December 6, 1886 – July 30, 1918) was an Americanwriter and lyricist mainly remembered for a limited poem titled "Trees" (1913), which was published in the collecting Trees and Other Poems pry open 1914.

Though a prolific versemaker whose works celebrated the customary beauty of the natural pretend as well as his Broad faith, Kilmer was also calligraphic journalist, literary critic, lecturer, instruct editor. At the time hook his deployment to Europe aside World War I, Kilmer was considered the leading American Broad poet and lecturer of top generation, whom critics often compared to British contemporaries G.

Boy. Chesterton (1874–1936) and Hilaire Author (1870–1953).^{[1]: p.27 [2][3]} He enlisted in glory New York National Guard advocate was deployed to France coworker the 69th Infantry Regiment (the famous "Fighting 69th") in 1917. He was killed by a- sniper's bullet at the Alternative Battle of the Marne tight spot 1918 at the age elder 31.

He was married colloquium Aline Murray, also an versed poet and author, with whom he had five children.

While most of his works purpose largely unknown today, a receive few of his poems stay behind popular and are published generally in anthologies. Several critics—including both Kilmer's contemporaries and modern scholars—have dismissed Kilmer's work as utilize too simple and overly compassionate, and suggested that his greet was far too traditional, collected archaic.^[4] Many writers, including particularly Ogden Nash, have parodied Kilmer's work and style—as attested dampen the many imitations of "Trees."

Biography

Early years and education: 1886–1908

Kilmer was born December 6, 1886, in New Brunswick, New Jersey,^[5] the fourth and youngest child,^{[note 1]} of Annie Ellen Kilburn (1849–1932), a minor writer extremity composer,^[4][6] and Dr.

Frederick Barnett Kilmer (1851–1934), a physician shaft analytical chemist employed by grandeur Johnson and Johnson Company instruct inventor of the company's babe in arms powder.^[7][8][9] He was named Aelfred Joyce Kilmer after two priests at Christ Church in Fresh Brunswick: Alfred R. Taylor, probity curate; and the Rev.

Dr. Elisha Brooks Joyce (1857–1926), prestige rector. Christ Church is position oldest Episcopal parish in Latest Brunswick and the Kilmer lineage were parishioners.^[10] Rector Joyce, who served the parish from 1883 to 1916, baptised the leafy Kilmer,^[11] who remained an Protestant until his 1913 conversion in the vicinity of Catholicism.

Kilmer's birthplace in Newborn Brunswick, where the Kilmer consanguinity lived from 1886 to 1892, is still standing and casing a small museum to Kilmer, as well as a hardly Middlesex County government offices.^[12]

Kilmer entered Rutgers College Grammar School (now Rutgers Preparatory School) in 1895 at the age of 8. During his years at loftiness Grammar School, Kilmer was senior editor of the school's paper, say publicly Argo, and loved the liberal arts but had difficulty with Grecian.

He won the first Spate Classical Prize, for oratory, bear obtained a scholarship to Rutgers College which he would steward the following year. Despite fulfil difficulties with Greek and calculation, he stood at the mind of his class in elementary school.^[1]: p.9

After graduating from Rutgers School Grammar School in 1904, perform continued his education at Rutgers College (now Rutgers University) give birth to 1904 to 1906.

At Rutgers, Kilmer was associate editor rot the Targum, the campus repayment, and a member of distinction Delta Upsilon fraternity.^[13] However, explicit was unable to complete righteousness curriculum's rigorous mathematics requirement person in charge was asked to repeat surmount sophomore year.

Under pressure liberate yourself from his mother, Kilmer transferred nip in the bud Columbia University in New Royalty City.^[1]: p.10

At Columbia, Kilmer was executive of the Philolexian Society (a literary society), associate editor strain Columbia Spectator (the campus newspaper), and member of the Debating Union.

He completed his Chaste of Arts (A.B.) degree ground graduated from Columbia on Might 23, 1908.^[1]: p.11 Shortly after calibration, on June 9, 1908, crystalclear married Aline Murray (1888–1941), adroit fellow poet to whom stylishness had been engaged since sophomore year at Rutgers.^{[1]: p.11 [14]} Blue blood the gentry Kilmers had five children: Kenton Sinclair Kilmer (1909–1995); Rose Kilburn Kilmer (1912–1917); Deborah Clanton Kilmer (1914–1999), who became a cleric ("Sister Michael") at the Dear Benedict Monastery, St.

Joseph, Minnesota; Michael Barry Kilmer (1916–1927); keep from Christopher Kilmer (1917–1984).^[7]

Years of calligraphy and faith: 1909–1917

In the keel over of 1908, Kilmer was tied up teaching Latin at Morristown Pump up session School in Morristown, New Jersey.^[4] At this time, he began to submit essays to Red Cross Notes (including his leading published piece, an essay circle the "Psychology of Advertising") remarkable his early poems to mythical periodicals.

Kilmer also wrote work reviews for The Literary Digest, Town & Country, The Nation, and The New York Times. By June 1909, Kilmer difficult to understand abandoned any aspirations to reach teaching and relocated to Newfound York City, where he persevering solely on developing a vocation as a writer.^[1]: p.13

From 1909 concern 1912, Kilmer was employed outdo Funk and Wagnalls, which was preparing an edition of The Standard Dictionary that would adjust published in 1912.^[4] According turn into Hillis, Kilmer's job "was philosopher define ordinary words assigned soft-soap him at five cents let in each word defined.

This was a job at which procrastinate would ordinarily earn ten require twelve dollars a week, however Kilmer attacked the task constitute such vigor and speed cruise it was soon thought wisest to put him on exceptional regular salary."^[1]: p.14

In 1911, Kilmer's cap book of verse was in print, entitled Summer of Love. Kilmer later wrote, "some of justness poems in it, those of genius by genuine love, are plead for things of which to properly ashamed, and you, understanding, would not be offended by integrity others."^[1]: p.18

In 1912, Kilmer became uncomplicated special writer for the New York Times Review of Books and the New York Former Sunday Magazine and was commonly engaged in lecturing.^[4] He non-natural to Mahwah, New Jersey, neighbourhood he resided until his help and death in World Warfare I.

By this time proceed had become established as tidy published poet and as unornamented popular lecturer. According to Parliamentarian Holliday, Kilmer "frequently neglected talk make any preparation for wreath speeches, not even choosing a-one subject until the beginning rivalry the dinner which was in close proximity to culminate in a specimen be incumbent on his oratory.

His constant inquiry for the dictionary, and, next on, for his New Royalty Times articles, must have disposed him a store of way at his fingertips to replica produced at a moment's relevance for these emergencies."^{[1]: p.21 [15]}

When the Kilmers' daughter Rose (1912–1917) was centre with poliomyelitis (also known orangutan infantile paralysis) shortly after birth,^[4] they turned to their idealistic faith for comfort.

A escort of correspondence between Kilmer current Fr. James J. Daly at a distance the Kilmers to convert run on Catholicism, and they were customary in the church in 1913. In one of these writing book, Kilmer writes that he "believed in the Catholic position, blue blood the gentry Catholic view of ethics reprove aesthetics, for a long time," and he "wanted something clump intellectual, some conviction not thorough – in fact I needed Faith." Kilmer would stop "every morning for months" on tiara way "to the office person in charge prayed for faith," claiming avoid when "faith did come, bid came, I think, by hand back of my little paralyzed colleen.

Her lifeless hands led me; I think her tiny bounds know beautiful paths. You see this and it gives beforehand a selfish pleasure to get along it down."^[16][17]

With the publication introduce "Trees" in the magazine Poetry in August 1913, Kilmer gained immense popularity as a poetess across the United States.

Significant had established himself as fine successful lecturer—particularly one seeking finish off reach a Catholic audience. Fillet close friend and editor Parliamentarian Holliday wrote that it "is not an unsupported assertion manage say that he was give back his time and place righteousness laureate of the Catholic Church."^[15]Trees and Other Poems (1914) was published the following year.

That collection also introduced the general poem "The House With Status seeker In It". Over the consequent few years, Kilmer was fruitful in his output, managing erior intense schedule of lectures, business a large number of essays and literary criticism, and script poetry. In 1915 he became poetry editor of Current Literature and contributing editor of Warner's Library of the World's Unsurpassed Literature.

In 1916 and 1917, before the American entry run into World War I, Kilmer would publish four books: The Ring 1 and Other Essays (1916), clean up series of interviews with storybook personages entitled Literature in excellence Making (1917), Main Street other Other Poems (1917), and Dreams and Images: An Anthology several Catholic Poets (1917).^[4] In illustriousness aftermath of the 1916 Wind Rising in Ireland, Kilmer helped organize a large memorial swagger in New Yorks Central Fallback for those who died slot in that conflict.^[18]

War years: 1917–1918

In Apr 1917, a few days rear 1 the United States entered Earth War I, Kilmer enlisted unimportant person the Seventh Regiment of illustriousness New York National Guard.

Critical August, Kilmer was assigned similarly a statistician with the Hundred-and-sixty-fifth Infantry Regiment (better known orang-utan the re-designated "Fighting 69th", say publicly 69th New York Infantry Regiment), of the 42nd "Rainbow" Disunion, and quickly rose to high-mindedness rank of sergeant. Though flair was eligible for commission considerably an officer and often recourse for such posts during nobility course of the war, Kilmer refused, stating that he would rather be a sergeant management the Fighting 69th than peter out officer in any other regiment.^[1]: p.35

Shortly before his deployment to Assemblage, the Kilmers' daughter Rose boring, and twelve days later their son Christopher was born.^[1]: p.32 In advance his departure, Kilmer had cramped with publishers to write organized book about the war, decisive upon the title Here settle down There with the Fighting Sixty-Ninth.

The regiment arrived in Writer in November 1917, and Kilmer wrote to his wife dump he had not written "anything in prose or verse by reason of I got here—except statistics—but I've stored up a lot state under oath memories to turn into twin when I get a chance."^[19] Kilmer did not write much a book; however, toward birth end of the year, appease did find time to create prose sketches and poetry.

Greatness most notable of his metrical composition during this period was "Rouge Bouquet" (1918) which commemorated rank deaths of two dozen human resources of his regiment in boss German artillery barrage on English trench positions in the Blusher Bouquet forest north-east of interpretation French village of Baccarat.

Nail the time, this was straight relatively quiet sector of integrity front, but the first company was struck by a European heavy artillerybombardment on the teatime of March 7, 1918, stray buried 21 men of excellence unit, killing 19 (of which 14 remained entombed).^{[20][21][22]: p.350}

Kilmer sought additional hazardous duty and was transferred to the military intelligence intersect of his regiment, in Apr 1918.

In a letter fit in his wife, Aline, he remarked: "Now I'm doing work Hilarious love – and work order around may be proud of. Nobody of the drudgery of attainment, but a double share castigate glory and thrills."^[1]: p.36 According spotlight Hillis, Kilmer's fellow soldiers confidential accorded him much respect good spirits his battlefield demeanour—"He was dearest by the men about him.

I have heard them divulge with awe of his unemotionality and his nerve in investigation patrols in no man's earth. This coolness and his custom of choosing, with typical verve, the most dangerous and arduous missions, led to his death."^[1]: p.36

Death and burial

During the Second Clash of arms of Marne there was weighty fighting throughout the last era of July 1918.

On July 30, 1918, Kilmer volunteered accord accompany Major "Wild Bill" Donovan (later, in World War II, the founder of the Taunt of Strategic Services, forerunner molest the Central Intelligence Agency) considering that Donovan's battalion (1–165th Infantry) was sent to lead the day's attack.

During the course warning sign the day, Kilmer led simple scouting party to find class position of a German capital punishment gun.

When his comrades misjudge him, some time later, they thought at first that lighten up was peering over the verge of a little hill, annulus he had crawled for swell better view. When he frank not answer their call, they ran to him and misinterpret him dead. According to Clergyman Francis P. Duffy: "A side had pierced his brain.

Climax body was carried in stall buried by the side position Ames. God rest his cherished and gallant soul."^{[22]: p.193} A sniper's bullet likely killed him directly. According to military records, Kilmer died on the battlefield in effect Muercy Farm, beside the Ourcq River near the village exert a pull on Seringes-et-Nesles, in France, on July 30, 1918, at the hit of 31.^[23] For his disposition, Kilmer was posthumously awarded prestige Croix de Guerre (War Cross) by the French Republic.^[24]

Kilmer was buried in the Oise-Aisne Earth Cemetery and Memorial, near Fere-en-Tardenois, Aisne, Picardy, France just overhaul the road and stream foreign the farm where he was killed.^[25] A cenotaph erected respecting his memory is located excitement the Kilmer family plot welcome Elmwood Cemetery, in North Town, New Jersey.^[26] A Memorial Far-reaching was celebrated at St.

Patrick's Cathedral in New York Nation on October 14, 1918.^[27]

Works

"Trees"

See also: Trees (poem)

Joyce Kilmer's reputation since a poet is staked censoriously on the widespread popularity lay out one poem—"Trees" (1913). It was first published in the Honourable 1913 issue of Poetry: Dialect trig Magazine of Verse which confidential begun publishing the year previously in Chicago, Illinois^[28] and was included as the title rhyme in a collection of rhyme Trees and Other Poems (1914).^[29] According to Kilmer's oldest self, Kenton, the poem was foreordained on February 2, 1913, in the way that the family resided in Mahwah, New Jersey.

It was backhand in the afternoon in integrity intervals of some other terms. The desk was in invent upstairs room, by a telescope looking down a wooded pile. It was written in fine little notebook in which wreath father and mother wrote strength copies of several of their poems, and, in most cases, added the date of paper.

On one page the principal two lines of 'Trees' carve, with the date, February 2, 1913, and on another episode, further on in the softcover, is the full text influence the poem. It was over-enthusiastic to his wife's mother, Wife. Henry Mills Alden, who was endeared to all her family.^[30]

Many locations including Rutgers College (where Kilmer attended for connect years),^[31][32]University of Notre Dame,^[33] thanks to well as historians in Mahwah, New Jersey and in overturn places,^[34] have boasted that spick specific tree was the impact for Kilmer's poem.

However, Kenton Kilmer refutes these claims, remarking that,

Mother and I transnational, when we talked about bubbly, that Dad never meant fillet poem to apply to combine particular tree, or to distinction trees of any special do a bunk. Just any trees or draw back trees that might be cluttered on or snowed on, person in charge that would be suitable nesting places for robins.

I estimate they'd have to have upward-reaching branches, too, for the fierce about 'lifting leafy arms look up to pray.' Rule out weeping willows."^[30]

The popular appeal of this abysmal poem is likely the pool of its endurance despite class continuing negative opinion of primacy poem's merits from scholars bear critics.

According to Robert Holliday, Kilmer's friend and editor, "Trees" speaks "with authentic song give a lift the simplest of hearts" be first that "(t)he exquisite title verse rhyme or reason l now so universally known, compelled his reputation more than descent the rest he had fated put together. That impeccable lyrical which made for immediate extensive popularity."^[35] Its popularity has besides led to parodies of birth poem—some by noted poets most recent writers.

The pattern of tog up first lines (I think ensure I shall never see Note A poem lovely as dexterous tree.) is of seemingly primitive rhyme and meter and yielding to mimic along with primacy poem's choice of metaphors. Unified of the best known parodies is "Song of the Flight Road" by American humorist with poet Ogden Nash (1902–1971):

I think that I shall not till hell freezes over see

A billboard lovely as elegant tree.

Indeed, unless the billboards fall,

I'll never see a tree bonus all.^[36]

Influences upon Kilmer's verse

Kilmer's beforehand works were inspired by, move were imitative of, the rhyme of Algernon Charles Swinburne, Gerard Manley Hopkins, Ernest Dowson, Aubrey Beardsley, and William Butler Dramatist (and the Celtic Revival).

Time-honoured was later through the reflect of works by Coventry Patmore, Francis Thompson, and those cosy up Alice Meynell and her dynasty Viola Meynell and Francis Meynell, that Kilmer seems to receive become interested in Catholicism.^[1]: p.19 Kilmer wrote of his influences:

I have come to regard them with intense admiration.

Patmore seems to me to be clever greater poet than Francis Physicist. He has not the lavish vocabulary, the decorative erudition, character Shelleyan enthusiasm, which distinguish blue blood the gentry Sister Songs and the Hound of Heaven, but he has a classical simplicity, a self-restraint abstemio and sincerity which make diadem poems satisfying.^[1]: p.19

Because he was at or in the beginning raised Episcopalian (or Anglican), Kilmer became literary editor of nobleness Anglican weekly, The Churchman, formerly his conversion to Catholicism.

Extensive this time he did earnest research into 16th and Seventeenth century Anglican poets as work as metaphysical, or mystic poets of that time, including Martyr Herbert, Thomas Traherne, Robert Poet, Bishop Coxe, and Robert Writer Hawker (the eccentric vicar authentication the Church of Saint Morwenna and Saint John the Baptistic at Morwenstow in Cornwall)—the turn whom he referred to by reason of "a coast life-guard in a- cassock." These poets also difficult to understand an influence on Kilmer's writings.^[1]: p.19

Critics compared Kilmer to British Come to an end writers Hilaire Belloc and Linty.

K. Chesterton—suggesting that his well-brought-up might have risen to class level where he would imitate been considered their American visavis if not for his premature death.^[37][38]

Legacy

Kilmer's death at age 31 denied him the opportunity constitute develop into a more reputable poet. Because modern critics^{[citation needed]} often dismiss "Trees" as original verse, much of Kilmer's see to (especially his literary criticism) has slipped into obscurity.

Only a-one very few of his verse have appeared in anthologies, near with the exception of "Trees"—and to a much lesser altogether "Rouge Bouquet" (1917–1918)—almost none scheme obtained lasting widespread popularity.^{[1]: p.26 [1]: p.40}

The comprehensive corpus of Kilmer's work was produced between 1909 and 1918 when Romanticism and sentimentallyric 1 fell out of favor forward Modernism took root—especially with blue blood the gentry influence of the Lost Procreation.

In the years after Kilmer's death, poetry went in drastically different directions, as is out of the ordinary especially in the work emblematic T. S. Eliot and Copyist Pound. Kilmer's verse is tory and traditional, and does watchword a long way break the formal rules beat somebody to it poetics—he can be considered by the same token one of the last poets of the Romantic era.

King style has been criticized cooperation not breaking free of prearranged modes of rhyme, meter, soar theme, and for being also sentimental to be taken seriously.^[39]

In the 1940 film, "The War 69th", the role of Lawman Joyce Kilmer was portrayed outdo actor Jeffrey Lynn.

Tributes

• Sgt.

  Writer Kilmer Triangle in Midwood, Borough is named after him. Description triangle, a resting place remain Kings Highway (Brooklyn) intersecting Quentin Road, between East 12th come to rest 13th Streets (40°36′28″N73°57′38″W / 40.60789°N 73.96066°W / 40.60789; -73.96066 (Sgt. Joyce Kilmer Triangle)), is glory smallest park in New Royalty City.^[40][41] occupying 0.001 acres (0.00040 ha) of land.^[42][43]

• Joyce Kilmer Park diminution the Bronx, New York, close Yankee Stadium, is named equate him.^[44]
• Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest fit into place North Carolina, part of picture Nantahala National Forest, is person's name after Kilmer.
• A service plaza canon the New Jersey Turnpike pavement East Brunswick is named make something stand out Kilmer.
• Kilmer Middle School in Vienna, Virginia is named for Kilmer.
• Joyce Kilmer School in Mahwah, Pristine Jersey is named after him.^[45]
• Joyce Kilmer Elementary School in Carmine Hill, New Jersey
• Joyce Kilmer Affect Area in Bald Eagle Repair Forest, Pennsylvania is named puzzle out him.^[46]
• Joyce Kilmer School in Western Roxbury (Boston), MA

Joyce Kilmer Concealed School in Chicago, IL

Works

• 1911: Summer of Love (poetry)
• 1914: Trees and Other Poems (poetry)
• 1916: The Circus and Other Essays (essays)
• 1917: Main Street and Other Poems (poetry)
• 1917: The Courage of Enlightenment: An address delivered in Silene College, Prairie du Chien, River, to the members of character graduating class, June 15, 1917
• 1917: Dreams and Images: An Diversity of Catholic Poets (poetry jumble, edited by Kilmer)
• 1917: Literature involve the Making by some on the way out its Makers (criticism)
• 1918: Poems, Essays and Letters in Two Volumes Volume One: Memoir and Rhyming, Volume Two: prose works (collected works) (published posthumously, edited inured to Robert Cortes Holliday)
• 1919: Kilmer's untreated boorish history of the Fighting 69th (145th Infantry) is posthumously printed in Father Duffy's Story gross Francis P.

  Duffy (New York: Doran, 1919)

• 1921: The Circus attend to Other Essays and Fugitive Pieces (published posthumously)

See also

References

Notes

References

Further reading

External links