Sarah Norcliffe Cleghorn

Sarah N. Cleghorn (page 120 crop)

Sarah Norcliffe Cleghorn (February 4, 1876 – April 4, 1959) was an American poet and social reformer, known for her involvement in the Progressive Era and her advocacy for various social causes. She is often associated with the American literary movement known as the New England Renaissance.

Early Life

Sarah Norcliffe Cleghorn was born in Norwich, Vermont, and spent much of her early life in Manchester, Vermont. She was the daughter of James Cleghorn and Charlotte Norcliffe Cleghorn. Her upbringing in a rural environment greatly influenced her later works, which often reflect themes of nature and social justice.

Education

Cleghorn attended Radcliffe College for a brief period but did not complete her degree. Despite this, she was well-read and self-educated, which allowed her to engage deeply with the intellectual and social issues of her time.

Literary Career

Cleghorn's poetry often addressed themes of social justice, including the plight of the working class, women's rights, and pacifism. Her most famous poem, "The Golf Links," is a satirical piece that criticizes child labor. The poem reads:

"The golf links lie so near the mill That almost every day The laboring children can look out And see the men at play."

Her works were published in various literary magazines and anthologies, and she was a contemporary of other notable poets such as Robert Frost and Edwin Arlington Robinson.

Social Activism

Cleghorn was deeply involved in the social reform movements of the early 20th century. She was a member of the Socialist Party of America and worked closely with other activists to promote labor rights, women's suffrage, and pacifism. She was also a member of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom.

Later Life and Death

In her later years, Cleghorn continued to write and advocate for social causes. She spent her final years in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she passed away on April 4, 1959.

Legacy

Sarah Norcliffe Cleghorn is remembered for her poignant and socially conscious poetry, as well as her unwavering commitment to social justice. Her works continue to be studied and appreciated for their literary merit and historical significance.

Selected Works

• Portraits and Protests (1917)
• Peace and Freedom (1920)
• The Spinster (1934)

See Also

• American poetry
• Progressive Era
• Socialist Party of America
• Women's suffrage in the United States