Max Ehrmann facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Max Ehrmann
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| Born | September 26, 1872 Terre Haute, Indiana, U.S.
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| Died | September 9, 1945 (aged 72) Terre Haute, Indiana, U.S.
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| Resting place | Highland Lawn Cemetery, Terre Haute, Indiana |
| Alma mater | DePauw University Harvard University |
| Occupation | Attorney, businessman |
| Known for | Prose poem "Desiderata" (1927) |
| Spouse(s) | Bertha Pratt King Ehrmann |
Max Ehrmann (born September 26, 1872 – died September 9, 1945) was an American writer and poet. He was also a lawyer from Terre Haute, Indiana. He is most famous for his poem called "Desiderata", which he wrote in 1927. The word "Desiderata" means "things desired" in Latin. Max Ehrmann often wrote about spiritual ideas.
Learning and Education
Max Ehrmann's parents came from Bavaria, Germany, in the 1840s. Young Max went to school in Terre Haute, Indiana. He also attended the German Methodist Church.
He earned a degree in English from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. He studied there from 1890 to 1894. While at DePauw, he was the editor of the school newspaper, Depauw Weekly.
After DePauw, Ehrmann studied philosophy and law at Harvard University. He was also an editor for a national magazine called The Rainbow around 1896.
Max Ehrmann's Career
In 1898, Ehrmann moved back to his hometown of Terre Haute, Indiana. He started working as a lawyer there. For two years, he was a deputy state's attorney in Vigo County, Indiana.
Later, he worked in his family's meatpacking business. He also worked in a company that made overalls. When he was 40 years old, Ehrmann decided to leave business. He wanted to focus on writing full-time. He wrote "Desiderata" when he was 55. This poem became very famous, but only after he passed away.
Max Ehrmann's Legacy
Around 1937, DePauw University gave Max Ehrmann an honorary degree. This special award was called a Doctor of Letters. He also received a high award from his college fraternity.
Max Ehrmann died in 1945. He is buried in Highland Lawn Cemetery in Terre Haute, Indiana.
In 2010, the city of Terre Haute honored Ehrmann with a life-size bronze statue. The sculptor, Bill Wolfe, created it. The statue shows Max Ehrmann sitting on a bench downtown. He has a pen in his hand and a notebook on his lap. His famous poem "Desiderata" is written on a plaque next to the statue. Lines from the poem are also part of the walkway. This sculpture is part of the Art Spaces, Inc. collection. Art Spaces also holds a yearly poetry contest named after Max Ehrmann.
