Thomas McGrath (poet) facts for kids

Thomas Matthew McGrath (born November 20, 1916, near Sheldon, North Dakota – died September 20, 1990, Minneapolis, Minnesota) was an important American poet. He also wrote scripts for documentary films. He is known for writing about his life and the world around him.

The Life of Thomas McGrath

Thomas McGrath grew up on a farm in Ransom County, North Dakota. He learned a lot about life in the countryside. These experiences later influenced his writing. He went to the University of North Dakota and earned a degree.

Education and Early Career

During World War II, Thomas McGrath served in the U.S. Army Air Forces. After the war, he received a special award called a Rhodes Scholarship. This allowed him to study at Oxford University in England. He also continued his studies at Louisiana State University.

McGrath became a teacher at several colleges. He taught at Colby College in Maine. He also taught at California State University, Los Angeles. In 1953, he had to speak before a government committee. After this, he lost his teaching job at Los Angeles State College. He later taught at North Dakota State University and Minnesota State University, Moorhead.

Family and Main Works

Thomas McGrath had one son named Tomasito. Many of his later poems were written for or about his son. McGrath's writing often explored his own experiences. He also wrote about important social issues.

His most famous work is a long poem called Letter to an Imaginary Friend. This poem was published in parts over many years. It came out between 1957 and 1985. The complete poem was finally released in 1997 by Copper Canyon Press. It tells a big story about his life and thoughts.

Thomas McGrath's Published Works

Thomas McGrath wrote many books of poetry throughout his life. His poems often shared his thoughts and feelings about the world.

Key Poetry Collections

• First Manifesto (1940): This was one of his earliest published works.
• To Walk a Crooked Mile (1947): Another early collection of his poems.
• The Beautiful Things (1960): A collection that shows his unique style.
• Letter to an Imaginary Friend (published in parts from 1962 to 1997): This is his most famous and longest poem. It's like a big story told through poetry.
• The Movie at the End of the World: Collected Poems (1972): This book brought together many of his poems.
• Letters to Tomasito (1977): This special collection of poems was written for his son, Tomasito.
• Selected Poems, 1938-1988 (1988): This book offers a great overview of his poetry from different years.