Childhood & Early Life
David Wagoner was born in the city of Massillon, Ohio, on June 5, 1926. He stayed there until seven years, after which his family shifted base to Whiting, Indiana. From 1944 to 1946, he served in the United States Navy. Around this time, Wagoner enrolled himself in the Pennsylvania State University and graduated three years later. Thereafter, he earned an M.A. in English from the same university, in 1949.
Later Life
By the time David Wagoner earned his PG degree, his love for poetry had taken shape. The industrial town of Indiana served as the base of his poetry. Not just the setting of his poems, but also the mood in the verses reflected the place. In 1953, Wagoner published the first one of his many collections of poetry, 'Dry Sun, Dry Wind'. The next year, in 1954, Wagoner shifted to the Pacific Northwest, as a teacher at the University of Washington, following the suggestion of his teacher and friend Theodore Roethke.
Initially influenced by family ties, ethnic neighborhoods, industrial production and pollution, Wagoner's outlook as well as his poetry changed from the years he spent at the University of Washington. The publication of his second collection of poems, titled 'A Place to Stand' (1958), helped the young poet define his individual voice and style of writing. Subsequently, Wagoner served as the editor of 'Poetry Northwest' for thirty six years i.e. from 1966 until its last issue, in 2002.
In 1968 Wagoner served as the Elliston Professor of Poetry, in the University of Cincinnati and from 1977-81, he was in the editorial seat at the Princeton University Press Contemporary Poetry Series. In 1973, Wagoner's play 'An Eye For An Eye For An Eye' was produced. Five years thence, in 1978, he was elected as a Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets. Since 1983, he has been serving as the poetry editor at the University of Missouri Press, Columbia.
Writing Theme
Environment has had a deep influence on David Wagoner's poetry, right from the very beginning of his career. His initial works reflected his observation of the nature around him. However, the change from the industrial town of Indiana, to the lush setting of the Pacific, changed Wagoner's outlook and theme of writing completely. His second collection, 'A Place to Stand' reflected the development of his individual voice and style.
Apart from writing poetry, David Wagoner has also earned a name as a novelist. With his novels, he had explored almost all the genres of writing. However, most of his novels are based either on mainstream fiction or regional (Western) fiction, with some essence of drama and comedy. Another significant characteristic of Wagoner's novels is the portrayal of a naïve protagonist, who encounters human failing and social corruption, accepting it in the end.
Awards, Nominations & Honors
Works
Poetry
1953 - Dry Sun, Dry Wind
1958 - A Place to Stand
1959 - Poems
1963 - The Nesting Ground
1966 - Staying Alive
1969 - New and Selected Poems
1970 - Working Against Time
1972 - Riverbed
1974 - Sleeping in the Woods
1975 - A Guide to Dungeness Spit
1956–1976 - Collected Poems
1978 - Who Shall Be the Sun?
1979 - In Broken Country
1980 - The Hanging Garden
1981 - One for the Rose,Landfall
1983 - First Light
1987 - Through the Forest
1996 - Walt Whitman Bathing
1999 - Traveling Light
2002 - The House of Song
2005 - Good Morning and Good Night
2008 - A Map of the Night
Novels
1954 - The Man in the Middle
1955 - Money, Money, Money
1958 - Rock
1965 - The Escape Artist
1968 - Baby, Come On Inside
1970 - Where is My Wandering Boy Tonight?
1974 - The Road to Many a Wonder
1975 - Tracker
1976 - Whole Hog
1980 - The Hanging Garden
Other Works
1972 - Straw for the Fire: From the Notebooks of Theodore Roethke, 1943-1963, Doubleday
1973 - An Eye for an Eye (play) | |||||
David Wagoner Timeline: | |||||
1926 - David Wagoner was born
1933 - Shifted base to Whiting, Indiana
1944-46 - Served in the United States Navy
1949 - Earned an M.A. in English, from the Pennsylvania State University
1953 - Published his first of many collections of poetry, 'Dry Sun, Dry Wind'
1954 - Shifted to Pacific Northwest, as a teacher at the University of Washington
1958 - Published his second collection of poems, titled 'A Place to Stand'
1966-2002 - Served as the editor of 'Poetry Northwest'
1968 - Served as the Elliston Professor of Poetry in the University of Cincinnati
1973 - Play 'An Eye For An Eye For An Eye' was produced
1977-81 - Served as the Editor of the Princeton University Press Contemporary Poetry Series
1978 - Elected as a Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets
1983 - Became Poetry editor at the University of Missouri Press, Columbia |
David Wagoner is one of the eminent contemporary American poet-cum-novelists. With this biography, explore his childhood, life & timeline.
Famous People» Poets» David Wagoner
David Wagoner |
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| Famous as | Poet, Novelist, Professor |
| Born on | 05 June 1926 |
| Born in | Massillon, Ohio |
| Nationality | United States |
| Works & Achievements | Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets, Recipient of many prestigious literary awards, Professor at the University of Washington |
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