Robert Frost was a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and playwright best known for his portrayal of rural New England life in his work. Robert Lee Frost was born on March 26, 1874, in San Francisco, California, to journalist William Prescott Frost, Jr. and Scotswoman Isabelle Moodie. Robert Frost spent his first 11 years of life in San Francisco. After his father died of tuberculosis, his family relocated to Lawrence, Massachusetts, to live with his grandparents. Robert attended Lawrence High School, where he met his future wife Elinor White, a young woman with whom he shared the valedictorian title upon graduation. Life was difficult for Robert and his wife, and for the first 40 years of his life, he was virtually unknown.
Robert Lee Frost was named after Confederate General Robert E. Lee.
In 1892, Robert Frost graduated from high school as class poet and co-valedictorian.
Robert Frost’s first poem sold was titled “My Butterfly. An Elegy,” and he received $15 for it, which is now worth more than $400. In 1894, he sold the poem to the New York Independent.
Elinor White was proposed to twice by Robert Frost. She declined him the first time because she needed to finish college. When Robert returned from his self-pity trip, he asked her again. They married on December 19th, 1895, after she said yes because she had graduated.
Robert and Elinor Frost’s grandfather purchased a farm. They tried farming for a long time but were never successful.
Robert Frost continued to write poetry while trying to make a living as a farmer, but was not very successful in getting it published.
Robert Frost and his wife moved to England in 1912.
A Boy’s Will was the title of the first poetry collection published by Robert Frost. It was published in 1913 by David Nutt, a British publisher.
When World War I broke out, Robert and his wife returned to America, where his collection north of Boston had made him famous.
In 1924, Robert Frost won the Pulitzer Prize for his book New Hampshire: A Poem with Notes and Grace Notes.
In 1931, Robert Frost received his second Pulitzer Prize for Collected Poems.
In 1937, Robert Frost received his third Pulitzer Prize for A Further Range.
A Witness Tree received Robert Frost’s fourth and final Pulitzer Prize in 1943.
Robert Frost received the United States Congressional Gold Medal for his work in 1960. It was the highest civilian honor available. “In recognition of his poetry which enabled the culture of the United States and philosophy of the world,” the award was given.
Many personal tragedies befell Robert Frost and his wife Elinor. They had six children together, but one died of cholera when he was only eight years old, another died shortly after birth, another died when he was 29, and another died when he was 38. Only two of their children lived past Robert’s death.
Elinor died of heart failure at the age of 38, a year after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
The setting for many of Robert Frost’s poems was rural New England. “The Road Not Taken” is his most famous poem.
Robert Frost died on January 29, 1963, in Boston, Massachusetts, at the age of 88.
