Image Credit: Carl Vinson Institute
This week’s #MarkerMonday explores the life of acclaimed writer and Savannah native, Conrad Aiken. Aiken was born in Savannah on August 5, 1889. Following the tragic deaths of his parents when Aiken was 11 years-old, he moved to New England to live with his aunt. Aiken went on to attend Harvard where he met T.S. Eliot, a lifelong friend and fellow literary associate. In 1914, Aiken published his first collection of poetry. He also edited a collection of Emily Dickinson's poetry and is credited with establishing her posthumous reputation as a major poet. Aiken won a Pulitzer Prize in 1930 for his book, Selected Poems, and a National Book Award for Collected Poems in 1953. In the 1960s, Aiken returned to Savannah after living in New England and Great Britain for much of his life. Shortly before his death in August 1973, Governor Jimmy Carter appointed him Poet Laureate of Georgia. Aiken was posthumously inducted into the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame in 2003 and is buried in Savannah’s Bonaventure Cemetery beside his parents.
Explore the links below to learn more about Conrad Aiken.
GHS is proud to house several works by Conrad Aiken as well as his Poet Laureate citation and proclamation.
Full Marker Text
New Georgia Encyclopedia