Edgar Lee Masters
1868–1950 (age 82)
American poet and writer
Biography
From 1868 until 1950, Edgar Lee Masters gave voice to the hidden stories of American small towns with a sharp yet compassionate pen. His collection Spoon River Anthology, along with other volumes, turned the lives of midwestern residents into compelling verse that travelers and students still seek out.
He believed that poetry belonged to every reader, and the courage with which he portrayed ordinary joys, regrets, and aspirations has left a legacy that continues to inspire writers and thoughtful readers alike.