Gladys Cromwell

Miss Gladys Cromwell (cropped)

Gladys Cromwell (1885–1919) was an American poet and volunteer nurse who served during World War I. She is best known for her poetry and her service with the American Red Cross.

Early Life

Gladys Cromwell was born on November 8, 1885, in Brooklyn, New York. She was the daughter of John P. Cromwell and Mary Cromwell. She had a twin sister named Dorothy Cromwell. The Cromwell family was well-off, and Gladys received a good education, which included a strong emphasis on literature and the arts.

Literary Career

Gladys Cromwell began writing poetry at a young age. Her work was characterized by its emotional depth and lyrical quality. She published her first collection of poems, The Gates of Utterance, in 1915. Her poetry often explored themes of love, loss, and the human condition.

World War I Service

With the outbreak of World War I, Gladys and her sister Dorothy volunteered to serve with the American Red Cross. They were stationed in France, where they worked as nurses, providing care to wounded soldiers. The experience had a profound impact on Gladys, and she continued to write poetry during her service.

Death

Tragically, Gladys Cromwell's life was cut short. On January 19, 1919, she and her sister Dorothy died by suicide in the Seine River in Paris, France. The reasons for their actions remain unclear, but it is believed that the horrors of the war and the emotional toll of their work contributed to their decision.

Legacy

Gladys Cromwell's poetry continues to be appreciated for its emotional intensity and lyrical beauty. Her work is included in various anthologies of American poetry. In 1920, a posthumous collection of her poems, The Poems of Gladys Cromwell, was published, ensuring that her literary contributions would not be forgotten.

Related Pages

• American Red Cross
• World War I
• Poetry
• Brooklyn
• Seine River