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Robert Frost Facts

Robert Frost Facts
Robert Frost was a Pulitzer Prize winning poet and playwright known for his depiction of rural New England life in his work. He was born Robert Lee Frost on March 26th, 1874, in San Francisco, California to William Prescott Frost, Jr., a journalist, and Isabelle Moodie, a Scotswoman. Robert Frosts' first 11 years were spent in San Francisco. His father then died of tuberculosis and the family moved to Lawrence, Massachusetts to live with his grandparents. Robert attended high school in Lawrence and met his future wife Elinor White, a young woman with whom he shared the title of valedictorian upon graduation. Life was difficult for Robert and his wife and he remained an unknown for the first 40 years of his life.
Interesting Robert Frost Facts:
Robert Lee Frost was named after the Robert E. Lee, a famous Confederate General.
Robert Frost graduated high school in 1892 as class poet and co-valedictorian.
The first poem that Robert Frost sold was titled "My Butterfly. An Elegy." He earned $15, which would be worth more than $400 today. The New York Independent purchased the poem from him in 1894.
Robert Frost proposed to Elinor White twice. She turned him down the first time because she wanted to finish college. Robert left on a self-pity trip and asked her again when he returned. She said yes because she had graduated and they married on December 19th, 1895.
Robert Frosts' grandfather bought a farm for Robert and Elinor. They tried for many years to make money at farming but were not successful.
While trying to make a living as a farmer, Robert Frost continued to write poetry but was not very successful in getting published.
In 1912 Robert Frost and his wife moved to England.
The first collection of Robert Frost's poetry to be published was titled A Boy's Will. It was published by David Nutt, a British publisher, in 1913.
When the First World War broke out Robert and his wife returned to America where his collection North of Boston had already made him famous.
Robert Frost won the Pulitzer Prize in 1924 for his book titled New Hampshire: A Poem with Notes and Grace Notes.
Robert Frost won his second Pulitzer Prize in 1931 for Collected Poems.
Robert Frosts' third Pulitzer was awarded in 1937 for A Further Range.
Robert Frosts' fourth and final Pulitzer was awarded in 1943 for A Witness Tree.
In 1960 Robert Frost was awarded the United States Congressional Gold Medal for his work. It was the highest civilian award possible. The award was given "In recognition of his poetry which enabled the culture of the United Stated and philosophy of the world."
Robert Frost and his wife Elinor had many personal tragedies. Together they had 6 children, but one died of cholera at only 8 years old, one died just after birth, one died at 29, and another at 38. Only two of their children outlived Robert.
Elinor died at 38 from heart failure, a year after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Many of Robert Frosts' poems were set in rural New England. His most famous poem is "The Road Not Taken."
Robert Frost died on January 29th, 1963, at the age of 88, in Boston, Massachusetts.


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