Milton Acorn facts for kids

Milton Acorn (born March 30, 1923, died August 20, 1986) was a famous Canadian poet, writer, and playwright. People often called him The People's Poet because his poems spoke to everyday people.

Milton Acorn's Early Life

Milton Acorn was born in Prince Edward Island and grew up in Charlottetown. When he was 18, he joined the army during World War II.

War Experience and Moving Around

During World War II, Milton Acorn was hurt while crossing the Atlantic Ocean. This injury was serious, and he received a special payment for it for most of his life. After the war, he moved to Montreal, Quebec, in 1956. For a while, he was part of a political group called the Labor-Progressive Party. He also lived in Toronto, Ontario, for several years.

Starting His Writing Career

In Montreal, Milton Acorn started publishing his poems in a political magazine called New Frontiers. In 1956, he printed his first collection of poems himself. It was called In Love and Anger. Some of his poems also appeared in the magazine Canadian Forum during the 1950s.

He was married for a short time to another poet named Gwendolyn MacEwen.

Moving West and New Works

In the mid-1960s, Milton Acorn moved to Vancouver. There, he joined another political group called the League for Socialist Action. In 1967, he helped start an "underground" newspaper in Vancouver called The Georgia Straight. In 1969, he published an important collection of his poems called I've Tasted My Blood.

Awards and Unique Poetry Style

Milton Acorn won the Canadian Poets Award in 1970. He also received the Governor General's Award in 1976 for his book of poems, The Island Means Minago.

In 1977, Acorn created a special type of poem called the Jackpine sonnet. He wanted it to be unique and strong, like a jack pine tree found in Canada. These poems don't have a set number of lines or line lengths. Instead, they use repeating sounds and sometimes rhymes inside the poem.

Later Life and Passing

In July 1986, Milton Acorn had a heart attack and went to the hospital. He passed away in his hometown of Charlottetown on August 20, 1986. His death was caused by problems with his heart and diabetes.

The Milton Acorn People's Poetry Award

After Milton Acorn passed away, an award was created in his honor in 1987. It's called the Milton Acorn People's Poetry Award. This award is given every year to a poet who writes for and about everyday people. The award includes money and a special medal.

Milton Acorn on Film

Milton Acorn's life and work have been featured in films. In 1971, a TV show called Thirty Minutes aired a documentary about him titled Milton Acorn: The People’s Poet.

The National Film Board of Canada also made two films about him:

• In Love and Anger: Milton Acorn - Poet (released in 1984)
• A Wake for Milton (released in 1988)

Literary Awards and Recognition

Milton Acorn received several important awards and honors for his writing:

• 1970: Canadian Poets' Award (also known as the People's Poet Award)
• 1975: Governor General's Award
• 1977: Honorary Doctorate of Law Degree from the University of Prince Edward Island
• 1986: Became a Life member of the Canadian Poetry Association

See also

• Canadian poetry
• List of Canadian poets