According to the Academy of American Poets’ biography on Robert Frost, it is noted that during his stay in England, he “met and was influenced by such contemporary British poets as Edward Thomas, Rupert Brooke, and Robert Graves” (“Robert Frost”). In addition, the biography also stated that Frost “established a friendship with the poet Ezra Pound” (“Robert Frost”). These few poets would be considered Robert Frost’s circle; as state before, these poets influenced his work and may also have other significance to his work.
Edward Thomas was born in Lambeth, London on March 3, 1878. After deviating from his father’s plan and footsteps in civil service, Mr. Thomas composed and published his first book, The Woodland Life, in 1896. This book included the collection of essays about his long walks (“Edward Thomas”). Soon after, Edward Thomas was the recipient of a scholarship to Lincoln College where he would later graduate with a degree in history.
Edward Thomas went on to publish biographical studies and autobiographical works such as Walter Pater, Maurice Maeterlinck, The Happy-Go-Lucky Morgans, and The Icknield Way. But it was when he met Robert Frost that he was influenced to write more poetic material. With this poetic influence, Edward Thomas published his first poem “Up in the Wind” in 1914 under his pseudonym Edward Eastaway (“Edward Thomas”). In return, Edward Thomas helped popularize Robert Frost in Britain and The United States by writing a positive review of Frost’s North of Boston. Edward Thomas later served in World War I but unfortunately was killed on April 9, 1917 during battle.
This friendship between the poets seemed as platonic as it was business. They are both noted as close friends in their biographies. In addition, in being friends, the men were able to stretch one another as writers and poets. Edward Thomas is arguably responsible for solidifying Robert Frost’s start and popularity as a poet in both Britain and The United States.
Ezra Pound was born in Hailey, Idaho in 1885 (“Ezra Pound”). After earning a degree from Hamilton College in 1905, Ezra Pound moved to Italy. He then became involved in Fascist politics and was later arrested on charges of treason in 1945. However, Ezra was acquitted a year later and admitted to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital for mental illness. Aside from the chaos, Ezra Pound contributed his own movement of Imagism which stressed clarity, precision and economy of language (“Ezra Pound”). He also published works such as Imaginary Letters, Make it New, and “Provenca”.
Along with this movement, Ezra Pound is known for his widely-acknowledge contribution to revitalizing the twentieth-century revolution of poetry ("Ezra Pound: The Poetry Foundation"). He consistently baffled his readers using unfamiliar and "unconventional poetic materials" ("Ezra Pound: The Poetry Foundation"). Furthermore, Ezra was known for supporting and promote other poets during his career.
Ezra is also known as a generous poet for opening the exchange of work and ideas between American and British writers which allowed for the advancement of many contemporaries. Robert Frost was one poet who was able to benefit from Ezra’s generosity. In large part, this open exchange is what allowed for Robert Frost’s success in both countries.
Works Cited
"Edward Thomas." Poets.org - Poetry, Poems, Bios & More. Academy of American Poets. Web. 13 Nov. 2011. <http://www.poets.org/ poet .php/pr mPID/719>.
"Robert Frost." Poets.org - Poetry, Poems, Bios & More. Academy of American Poets.Web. 13 Nov. 2011. <http://w ww.poets.org/poet.p hp/prmPID/192>.
