About Robert Frost
Robert Frost was an American poet, most famous for his poem "The Road Not Taken." A four-time Pulitzer Prize winner, Frost wrote simple, thoughtful verse on philosophical topics, usually on natural or rural themes.
The Man
Robert Lee Frost, named for the Civil War general Robert E. Lee , was born in San Francisco in 1874. He attended Dartmouth and Harvard universities, and worked as a poultry farmer, teacher, shoemaker and newspaper editor. He and his wife, Elinor, had six children. Frost died in 1963 at the age of 88.
The Poet
Frost began writing poetry at the age of 15. He went on to receive multiple honorary degrees, medals and awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1924, 1931, 1937 and 1943. In honor of his seventy-fifth birthday in 1950, Frost was recognized by the U.S. Senate for his lasting contributions to literature.
Fun Fact
At the president's request, Frost drafted an original poem, "Dedication," for John F. Kennedy's inaugural ceremony. However, due to his age and poor health, he was unable to read his own work and instead recited his poem, "The Gift Outright" from memory.
Major Works
In addition to selecting the path "less traveled by" in "The Road Not Taken," Frost is remembered for the line "good fences make good neighbors," from "Mending Wall." Another famous Frost poem is "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," in which he laments, "The woods are lovely, dark, and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep..."
Significance
Frost is part of the American literary canon, and his works are widely taught and read today.
