A Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and academic, known for his witty and introspective poetry that explores themes of love, nature, and the human condition.
Howard Nemerov, a two-time Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress, is renowned for his poetic mastery, which earned him the National Book Award for Poetry, Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, and Bollingen Prize for his work, The Collected Poems of Howard Nemerov in 1977. His poetic legacy has left an indelible mark on American literature.
Born on February 29, 1920, in New York City, Nemerov was the son of David Nemerov and Gertrude Russek, a Russian Jewish couple who owned Russeks, a Fifth Avenue department store. His younger sisters were the celebrated photographer Diane Arbus and sculptor-painter Renee Nemerov Sparkia Brown. Nemerov's upbringing in a sophisticated New York City environment exposed him to art connoisseurship, painting, philanthropy, and photography, which undoubtedly influenced his creative endeavors.
He attended the Society for Ethical Cultures Fieldston School, graduating in 1937 as an outstanding student and second-string team football fullback. Nemerov then pursued his studies at Harvard University, where he was recognized as the Bowdoin Essayist in 1940 and earned his bachelor's degree.
During World War II, Nemerov served as a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force and later the U.S. Army Air Forces. After the war, he married and returned to New York with his wife to complete his first book. This marked the beginning of his literary career, which would span over four decades.
Nemerov's academic pursuits led him to teach at various institutions, including Hamilton College, Bennington College, Brandeis University, and Washington University in St. Louis, where he held the position of Edward Mallinckrodt Distinguished University Professor of English and Distinguished Poet in Residence from 1969 until his death in 1991.
Nemerov's poetry is characterized by its lyricism, wit, and introspection. His work often explores themes of love, family, and social commentary. Some of his notable works include The Image and the Law, The Blue Swallows, and Trying Conclusions: New and Selected Poems.
Throughout his career, Nemerov received numerous awards and honors, including the National Medal for Literature, the Academy of American Poets' Fellowship, and the membership to the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters.
Howard Nemerov's contributions to American poetry have been immense. His work continues to inspire new generations of poets, writers, and readers. As a testament to his enduring legacy, Washington University in St. Louis established the Howard Nemerov Scholarship in his honor.
Nemerov's poetry has been praised for its accessibility, depth, and nuance. His legacy serves as a reminder of the power of poetry to capture the human experience and to inspire us to reflect on our place in the world.
Nemerov was married and had a son, Alexander Nemerov, who is an art historian and Professor of the History of Art and American Studies at Stanford University.
Throughout his life, Nemerov maintained close relationships with his family, including his sisters, Diane Arbus and Renee Nemerov Sparkia Brown, both of whom were accomplished artists in their own right.
"The only thing I was fit for was to be a writer, and this notion rested solely on my suspicion that I was inclined to be a writer." - Howard Nemerov
"I think there's a kind of poetry which is not merely a reflection of the world, but a way of changing the world." - Howard Nemerov
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A celebrated poet, translator, and essayist, known for his mastery of traditional forms and witty, insightful explorations of everyday life. His work often blends humor and profundity, earning him numerous awards and accolades.
