Collected Poems of John Wheelwright

by John Wheelwright, Austin Warren (Introduction), Alvin H. Rosenfeld (Editor)

In 1940, when John Wheelwright was killed by a speeding car, Boston lost one of its most colorful personalities and American poetry one of its most original and provocative talents. Like so many artists who have pioneered fresh techniques, Wheelwright received little popular recognition in his short lifetime, although his work caught the eyes of perspicacious critics, who marked him as a man to watch.

Originally published in a clothbound edition in 1972, Wheelwright's Collected Poems are now presented in paperbook format. Included are the three books brought out while he lived--Rock and Shell (1933), Mirrors of Venus (1938), and Political Self-Portrait (1940)--as well as the previously unpublished collection Dawn to Dust and miscellaneous other poems. The book has a preface by the editor, Alvin H. Rosenfeld, a memorial poem by Robert Fitzgerald, and a foreword by Austin Warren that places the poet firmly in the category of "New England Saint."

Genres: Poetry

302 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1972

About the author

John Brooks Wheelwright (sometimes Wheelright) (9 September 1897 – 13 September 1940) was an American poet from a Boston Brahmin background. He belonged to the poetic avant garde of the 1930s and was a Marxist, a founder-member of the Trotskyist Socialist Workers Party in the United States. He was bisexual. He died after being struck by an automobile at the intersection of Beacon St. and Massachusetts Avenue in the early morning hours of September 13, 1940.

Wheelwright was descended from the 17th-century clergyman John Wheelwright on his father's side and the 18th-century Massachusetts governor John Brooks on his mother's side. He studied at Harvard University and at Massachusetts Institute of Technology before practising as an architect in Boston. He was editor of the magazine Poetry for a Dime.

Reviews

[R.K. Cowles · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars

[Ryan Gato · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am still delving into the Collected Mr. Wheelwright and what I have read just amazes me. His verse ranges from free to formal; yet it is somehow unlike any other poet I've read, in both subject matter and style. He is idiosyncratic without being distracting and manages to be authoratative-- even didactic-- without losing the sympathy of the reader. Wonderful-- A+

[Adam Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Fish Food" and some of Wheelwright's smaller lyrics are some of the most superb and daring lyrics of the 20th century by any American. He's overlooked, but well worth looking into.