Madison Cawein

Biography

Madison Cawein was a poet of the Kentucky hills whose lyrical devotion to nature and myth found a deep echo among readers of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. He was celebrated for his graceful sonnets and ballads, often called the "poet of the Smokies," and his verses drew praise for their vivid imagery and quiet reverence for the natural world.

Cawein’s work enriched American letters during a period of rapid change, creating a lasting portrait of regional beauty and reflective stillness. He is remembered as a steady chronicler of the landscape he loved, and his resting place in Cave Hill Cemetery reflects the esteem held for his gentle artistry.