2008 Woodie Awards
English prof writes poet biography
Chronicling the life of American poet Amy Lowell
Rebecca Forbes
Issue date: 9/17/07 Section: News
Professor Carl Rollyson of the English department is working on a biography of American poet Amy Lowell.
A seasoned biographer of women, Rollyson notes that all of his subjects had "dramatic personalities" and were always willing to put their professional ambitions first.
In addition, Rollyson says he writes about people whose previous biographies he feels "did not serve them well."
Amy Lowell is no exception. In 2000, while on sabbatical, Rollyson devoted time to writing an encyclopedia on 20th century literature.
As he was researching, Rollyson found that previous reference books mentioned the need for a new biography on Lowell.
In reading her first biographies, he began to understand the need. "Most biographers couldn't see her as a whole human being," Rollyson says. "They couldn't put together her lifestyle and her work."
Lowell, born in 1874, was part of a prominent Massachusetts family. She left school at age 17, choosing instead to self-educate by reading in her family's magnanimous library.
Rollyson believes this choice was characteristic of Lowell. "She may not have benefited from college."
Many of the men in her family were successful and high-profile in the community. Being part of such an illustrious family was both a gift and a burden. "Her family gave her a lot of confidence," Rollyson notes. "She didn't have to worry about money."
However, the Lowells were supposed to act a certain way, and Amy's behavior was not always what was expected.
She was often criticized for being overweight, wearing masculine clothing and smoking cigars. Yet, Lowell didn't seem to care about such evaluations. "She had a pretty thick skin," Rollyson says.
Lowell didn't begin publishing her poems until her late 30s. Rollyson notes that she took literature seriously and was not going to send out work unless she truly thought it was worth publishing.
In addition, Lowell also helped other poets get published. "She had a business mind. She saw no contradiction between poetry and being successful and famous," Rollyson says.
A seasoned biographer of women, Rollyson notes that all of his subjects had "dramatic personalities" and were always willing to put their professional ambitions first.
In addition, Rollyson says he writes about people whose previous biographies he feels "did not serve them well."
Amy Lowell is no exception. In 2000, while on sabbatical, Rollyson devoted time to writing an encyclopedia on 20th century literature.
As he was researching, Rollyson found that previous reference books mentioned the need for a new biography on Lowell.
In reading her first biographies, he began to understand the need. "Most biographers couldn't see her as a whole human being," Rollyson says. "They couldn't put together her lifestyle and her work."
Lowell, born in 1874, was part of a prominent Massachusetts family. She left school at age 17, choosing instead to self-educate by reading in her family's magnanimous library.
Rollyson believes this choice was characteristic of Lowell. "She may not have benefited from college."
Many of the men in her family were successful and high-profile in the community. Being part of such an illustrious family was both a gift and a burden. "Her family gave her a lot of confidence," Rollyson notes. "She didn't have to worry about money."
However, the Lowells were supposed to act a certain way, and Amy's behavior was not always what was expected.
She was often criticized for being overweight, wearing masculine clothing and smoking cigars. Yet, Lowell didn't seem to care about such evaluations. "She had a pretty thick skin," Rollyson says.
Lowell didn't begin publishing her poems until her late 30s. Rollyson notes that she took literature seriously and was not going to send out work unless she truly thought it was worth publishing.
In addition, Lowell also helped other poets get published. "She had a business mind. She saw no contradiction between poetry and being successful and famous," Rollyson says.
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