May Swenson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
May Swenson
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| Born | May 28, 1913 Logan, Utah |
| Died | December 4, 1989 (aged 76) Bethany Beach, Delaware |
| Occupation | Poet and Playwright, Chancellor of Academy of American Poets |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Utah State University |
Anna Thilda May "May" Swenson (born May 28, 1913 – died December 4, 1989) was an American poet and playwright. Many people, including famous literary critic Harold Bloom, thought she was one of the most important and unique poets of the 1900s.
May was the first of ten children born to Margaret and Dan Arthur Swenson. She grew up in a Mormon home where Swedish was spoken often, and English was her second language. She stayed close with her family throughout her life. Later in her career, she wrote many poems for children. For example, her collection Iconographs (1970) included poems for younger readers. She also translated poems by Swedish poets, like Nobel winner Tomas Tranströmer.
May Swenson's Life and Career
May Swenson went to Utah State University in Logan, Utah. She earned her bachelor's degree in 1934. After college, she taught poetry at several universities as a "poet-in-residence." This means she was a special guest poet who taught students. Some of these schools included Bryn Mawr College and Utah State University.
From 1959 to 1966, May worked at New Directions Publishing. She reviewed new books and manuscripts there. In 1966, she left this job to spend all her time writing her own poems. She also served as a Chancellor for the Academy of American Poets from 1980 until she passed away in 1989.
May Swenson is buried in the Logan City Cemetery. Her grave has a special granite bench with some of her poetry carved into it. For the last 20 years of her life, she lived in Sea Cliff, New York.
Her poems appeared in many well-known magazines. These included The New Yorker, The Atlantic Monthly, and Poetry. Her poem Question was even featured in Stephenie Meyer's book The Host.
Awards and Special Recognition
May Swenson received many awards for her amazing poetry. Here are some of the honors she earned:
- American Introductions Prize in 1955.
- William Rose Benet Prize from the Poetry Society of America in 1959.
- Longview Foundation Award in 1959.
- National Institute of Arts and Letters Award in 1960.
- Brandeis University Creative Arts Award in 1967.
- Lucy Martin Donnelly Award from Bryn Mawr College in 1968.
- Shelley Poetry Award in 1968.
- Guggenheim fellowship in 1959.
- Amy Lowell Traveling Scholarship in 1960.
- Ford Foundation grant in 1964.
- Bollingen Prize for poetry in 1981.
- MacArthur Fellowship in 1987.
May Swenson's Lasting Impact
Most of May Swenson's original writings and documents are kept at Washington University in St. Louis. This is the main place for researchers to study her work.
Utah State University also has two collections of her work. They have even started the "May Swenson Project." This project helps share Swenson's work and influence with more people. The university has dedicated a special "May Swenson room" in their English Department and another in the Merrill-Cazier Library.
The May Swenson Poetry Award is a special competition for poets. It is sponsored by Utah State University Press. This award is given every year to an excellent collection of poetry written in English. Both new and experienced writers can enter. The award honors May Swenson as one of the most important and thought-provoking poets of the 20th century. Many famous poets and writers have been judges for this award, including Mary Oliver and Maxine Kumin.
You can find some of May Swenson's digitized works and information about her online: May Swenson Addendum (Selected items)
