Vachel Lindsay

Vachel Lindsay 1912

Vachel Lindsay (November 10, 1879 – December 5, 1931) was an American poet known for his use of American slang and folk song rhythms. His work is often associated with the early 20th-century American poetic movement, and he is considered a precursor to performance poetry, emphasizing the oral aspects of his poetry during public readings.

Biography

Nicholas Vachel Lindsay was born in Springfield, Illinois, into a family with strong abolitionist views. He studied at the Hiram College in Ohio before attending the Art Institute of Chicago to pursue a career in art. However, Lindsay's passion for poetry soon took precedence, and he began to focus on writing. Lindsay's approach to poetry was unconventional; he traveled across the United States, exchanging poems for food and lodging, which he referred to as the "Gospel of Beauty."

Career

Lindsay's poetry is characterized by its lyrical use of rhythm and its incorporation of American vernacular. His most famous poems include "The Congo" and "Abraham Lincoln Walks at Midnight." In "The Congo," Lindsay utilizes a rhythmic style that mimics the drumbeats of African music, while "Abraham Lincoln Walks at Midnight" reflects his lifelong admiration for the former president and his concern for social justice.

Lindsay's work was initially published in poetry magazines, and his first collection, "General William Booth Enters into Heaven and Other Poems," was published in 1913. This collection established Lindsay as a significant figure in American poetry, celebrated for his innovative use of language and form.

Despite his success, Lindsay faced financial difficulties throughout his life. His commitment to his ideals and his refusal to compromise his artistic integrity for commercial success often left him in poverty. Lindsay's later years were marked by depression, and he died by suicide in 1931.

Legacy

Vachel Lindsay's contribution to American poetry is significant for his pioneering role in performance poetry and his exploration of American identity through language and rhythm. His work influenced subsequent generations of poets, including Langston Hughes and Carl Sandburg, who admired Lindsay's use of American dialects and his commitment to social justice themes.

Lindsay's home in Springfield, Illinois, has been preserved as the Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, serving as a museum dedicated to his life and work.

Selected Works

• General William Booth Enters into Heaven and Other Poems (1913)
• The Congo and Other Poems (1914)
• The Chinese Nightingale and Other Poems (1917)
• The Golden Whales of California and Other Rhymes in the American Language (1920)
• The Candle in the Cabin (1926)

See Also

• American literature
• Performance poetry
• Poetry of the United States