Aline Murray Kilmer facts for kids
Aline Murray Kilmer (born August 1, 1888 – died October 1, 1941) was an American poet, author of children's books, and essayist. She was married to the famous poet and journalist Joyce Kilmer. They met at Rutgers College Preparatory School. They married in 1908 after Joyce graduated from Columbia University.
During their ten-year marriage, Joyce Kilmer became well-known as a poet and writer. After his death in World War I, Aline began writing and publishing her own poetry. She also wrote a few books for children.
Contents
Biography
Early Life and Family
Aline Murray was born on August 1, 1888, in Norfolk, Virginia. Her mother, Ada Foster Murray, was a poet. Her father, Kenton C. Murray, was an editor for a newspaper called the Norfolk Landmark.
Later, her mother married Henry Mills Alden in 1900. Henry was a managing editor for Harper's Magazine, and he became Aline's stepfather.
Education and Marriage
Aline went to the Rutgers College Grammar School in New Brunswick, New Jersey. She also studied at the Vail-Deane School in Elizabeth, New Jersey, graduating in 1908.
Soon after graduating, Aline married Alfred Joyce Kilmer on June 9, 1908. They had five children together: Kenton, Rose, Deborah, Michael, and Christopher.
Challenges and Faith
Their daughter Rose became very ill with a serious childhood disease shortly after she was born. This difficult time led Joyce and Aline to become members of the Roman Catholic faith. Rose passed away just before Joyce went to fight in World War I.
During the war, Joyce Kilmer was killed in action in France in 1918. He was only 31 years old. Several years later, their son Michael also passed away.
Aline's Writing Style
After Joyce's death, Aline focused on writing her own poetry and children's books. Her poetry is described as subtle and quiet. It often had a thoughtful, sometimes sad, tone. This was different from her husband's poetry, which was known for being direct and cheerful.
Death
In her last three years, Aline Kilmer suffered from a difficult illness. She passed away at her home in Stillwater Township, New Jersey, on October 1, 1941. She was 52 years old.
Aline was buried in Saint Joseph's Catholic Cemetery in Newton, New Jersey. Five lines from her poem, "Sanctuary," are carved on her gravestone:
There all bright passing beauty is held forever
Free from the sense of tears, to be loved without regret
There we shall find at their source music and love and laughter,
Colour and subtle fragrance and soft incredible textures:
Be sure we shall find what our weary hearts desire.
Works
- 1919: Candles That Burn (poetry)
- 1921: Vigils (poetry)
- 1923: Hunting a Hair Shirt and Other Spiritual Adventures (essays)
- 1925: The Poor Kings Daughter and Other Verse (poetry)
- 1927: Emmy, Nicky and Greg (children's book)
- 1929: A Buttonwood Summer (children's book)
- 1929: Selected Poems (poetry)
