Robert Frost: The Life of America's Poet

by Sara McIntosh Wooten

A biography of the New Englander who became known as America's "national poet" despite battles with poverty and depression. Robert Frost used simple language to describe nature and ordinary life. Frost himself switched paths in 1912, quitting his teaching position to become a full-time poet. His poems, easy and insightful to children and adults alike, hold a special place in America's hearts. This outstandingly composed biography introduces a new generation to the remarkable and beloved a man with courage and the determination to hold on to a dream despite all obstacles.A biography of the New Englander who became known as America's "national poet" despite battles with poverty and depression.

128 pages, Library Binding

First published August 1, 2006

Reviews

[Carla Fair-wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

In "Robert Frost - The Life of an America's Poet" Wooten has produced a simple study of one of the twentieth century's most important poets. The book is well-written. Wooten takes us on a dark journey, describing Frost's disparaging life in clear, frank terms. Like Alfred Tennyson, Frost grew up in a troubled atmosphere. He suffered from depression and lived a meager existence supported from time-to-time by the generosity of his grandfather. This fragile man became the winner of four Pulitzer Prizes for his book New Hampshire (1924), Collected Poems (1931), Further Range (1937) and A Witness Tree (1943), receiving over 40 honorary degrees during his lifetime.

Robert Frost was born on March 26, 1874 in San Francisco, California. His father, William Prescott Frost Jr., died of tuberculosis 12 years later. His mother, Isabelle Frost moved to Lawrence, Massachusetts with Robert and his sister Jeanie and supported the family by teaching. Frost graduated from Lawrence High School as co-valedictorian with his future wife, Elinor White. After high school, he had a series of failed employment as a teacher and writer. In 1895, Frost took a job as a newspaper reporter and married Elinor Miriam White. Together they have 5 children. Elliot (1896), Carol (1902); Irma (1903), Marjorie (1905); and Elinor (1907). The author reveals that two of the Frost children later die and one daughter suffers from mental illness.

The book was engaging, but clinical. What the book needed was more first hand accounts from journals and letters to give us a direct connection with Frost. I was never able to connect, to feel for Frost any real emotion. At the end, I closed the book feeling like a stranger.

[Shelley]

I'm not going to rate this book as it's a children's biography. Why did I read this book? My daughter had to do an English essay on Robert Frost. I am not one for poetry, actually I don't like any, too mind boggling for me. Reading about Robert Frost's life, well it was quite the surprise. He moved his family all over the states and quite a few times back & forth to England. I knew nothing of him and it was heartbreaking to find out that he had quite the sad life beginning in his years growing up, to suffering from depression (heredity), to most of his children dying and then his beloved wife also dying. I also learned that he was very intelligent, though he never completed or earned any degrees at Darmouth College and Harvard. It was also interesting that he was a farmer, though most times not a succcessful one.