Malcolm Cowley - Poets, Family and Life
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Malcolm Cowley's Personal Details
Malcolm Cowley was an American literary critic, novelist poet, editor and a social historian
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | August 24, 1898 |
| Died on | March 27, 1989 |
| Nationality | American |
| Famous | Novelists, Poets, Harvard University, Media Personalities, Editors, Poets, Novelists |
| Spouses | Marguerite Frances Baird (1919–1931), Muriel Maurer (1932–1989) |
| Childrens | Robert William Cowley |
| Universities |
|
| Notable Alumnis |
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| Birth Place | Pennsylvania |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | William Cowley |
| Mother | Josephine Hutmatcher |
| Sun Sign | Virgo |
| Born in | Pennsylvania |
| Famous as | Novelist & Poet |
| Died at Age | 90 |
// Famous Novelists
Malcolm Cowley's photo
Who is Malcolm Cowley?
Malcolm Cowley was an American literary critic, poet, editor and a social historian who went on to become a representative of the America’s ‘Lost Generation’ after the World War I. Born to a homeopathic physician, he was a sincere student from an early age and won a scholarship to pursue his higher studies at a prestigious university. His education was interrupted during the World War I, when he served with the American Army in France. After his graduation, he became friends with some of the most renowned literary authors during his stay in France and began his career as a freelance writer cum translator upon his return to America. He later worked as an editor, eventually becoming a poet and a novelist. His books received positive response from the readers and he was regarded as an extraordinary author of his time. His unique writing style and creative thinking engrossed the readers who appreciated his truthfulness. He was one of the great influences of the generation and also received respect from his contemporaries for his honest efforts towards creating a better society. He redefined American literature through his exceptional flair for writing.
// Famous Poets
Childhood & Early Life
He was born on August 24, 1898 in Belsano in Cambria County, Pennsylvania to William Cowley, a homeopathic doctor, and his wife, Josephine Hutmatcher.
His father practiced at a clinic in Pittsburgh and so he grew up in the East Liberty neighborhood of Pittsburgh. He was fond of Belsano, where the family used to spend their summers.
He received his early education from the Peabody High School, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and became friends with Kenneth Burke, who later became a literary theorist. Later in life, he recalled being in school as the best time of his life. He graduated from high school in 1915.
In 1915, he won a scholarship to study at the prestigious Harvard University and started his graduation studies. In 1917, his studies were interrupted by the World War I and he served as an American Ambulance truck driver in France. He also wrote articles regarding the World War I in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
In 1918, he returned to America to complete his graduation. He obtained his Bachelor Degree in Arts, cum laude, in 1920. Then, he moved to France to pursue advance studies at the University of Montpellier.
Career
While in France, he became friends with the writers of ‘Lost Generation’ such as Ernest Hemmingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ezra Pounds, Edmund Wilson and many others. Alongside his studies, he found work with the avant-grade literary magazines such as ‘Broom’ and ‘Secession’.
In 1923 he returned to America and was hired by the Sweet's Architectural Catalogue in New York City for the post of advertising copywriter and translator in 1925. He worked there till 1929 and also translated seven books from French to English.
In 1929, he became the literary editor of ‘The New Republic’, a post he assumed for the next 11 years. He also published his first collection of poetry, ‘Blue Juniata’, in 1929 and earned himself a distinct reputation as a poet.
In 1934, he published his autobiographical non-fiction book, ‘Exile’s Return: A Narrative of Ideas’. It depicted the experiences of expatriate American writers in 1920s and the significance of rediscovery of America as a literary source.
In 1935, he, along with some other writers, formed the League of American Writers and became its vice-president. He took part in the campaign to convince U.S. government to support the republicans in the Spanish Civil War. He resigned from the post in 1940.
In 1941, he published his second collection of poems, ‘The Dry Seasons’. During the 1940s, he became the editor and literary adviser of the Viking Press, a post he held until 1985. He edited the works of some of the most prolific authors such as Ernest Hemmingway, William Faulkner and Nathaniel Hawthorne.
In 1954, he published his portrayal of American writers in the society, ‘The Literary Situation’. In the fall of 1960, Cowley taught the Stegner Fellowship graduate class at Stanford University.
His other non-fiction works include ‘Think Back On Us’ (1967), ‘A Many-Windowed House’ (1970), ‘And I Worked at the Writer’s Trade’ (1978), ‘The Dream of the Golden Mountains: Remembering the 1930s’ (1980) and ‘The View from Eighty’ (1980).
Among his edited works were the ’The Portable Faulkner’ (1946), ‘The Portable Hawthorne’ (1948) and ‘’The Complete Poetry and Prose of Walt Whitman’ (1948).
Major Works
One of his most notable works was the editing of William Faulkner’s collection of short stories, ‘The Portable Faulkner’, in 1946. It established Faulkner as one of the greatest writers of all time and Faulkner expressed his gratitude for Cowley’s significant contribution as the editor of the book.
His other major work is ‘And I Worked at the Writer’s Trade’ in 1978 which is primarily autobiographical with elements of literary history.
Awards & Achievements
In 1939, he received the ‘Harriet Monroe Memorial Prize’ for his poetry.
In 1980, he was honored with the ‘National Book Award for Biography’ for his exceptional work, ‘And I Worked at the Writer’s Trade’.
He also received the ‘National Institute of Arts and Letters Gold Medal’ in 1981.
Personal Life & Legacy
He married “Peggy” Marguerite Frances Baird, a landscape painter in August 1919 during his graduation years at Harvard University. They traveled to France after his graduation and returned to U.S in 1923. They got divorced in 1931.
In June 1932, he married Muriel Maurer and they were blessed with a son, Robert William Cowley. Their son became an editor and a military historian later in life.
He passed away on March 27, 1989 due to a heart attack, at New Milford, Connecticut, U.S.A.
// Famous Novelists
Malcolm Cowley biography timelines
- // 24th Aug 1898He was born on August 24, 1898 in Belsano in Cambria County, Pennsylvania to William Cowley, a homeopathic doctor, and his wife, Josephine Hutmatcher.
- // 1915In 1915, he won a scholarship to study at the prestigious Harvard University and started his graduation studies. In 1917, his studies were interrupted by the World War I and he served as an American Ambulance truck driver in France. He also wrote articles regarding the World War I in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
- // 1918In 1918, he returned to America to complete his graduation. He obtained his Bachelor Degree in Arts, cum laude, in 1920. Then, he moved to France to pursue advance studies at the University of Montpellier.
- // 1919He married “Peggy” Marguerite Frances Baird, a landscape painter in August 1919 during his graduation years at Harvard University. They traveled to France after his graduation and returned to U.S in 1923. They got divorced in 1931.
- // 1923In 1923 he returned to America and was hired by the Sweet's Architectural Catalogue in New York City for the post of advertising copywriter and translator in 1925. He worked there till 1929 and also translated seven books from French to English.
- // 1929In 1929, he became the literary editor of ‘The New Republic’, a post he assumed for the next 11 years. He also published his first collection of poetry, ‘Blue Juniata’, in 1929 and earned himself a distinct reputation as a poet.
- // 1932In June 1932, he married Muriel Maurer and they were blessed with a son, Robert William Cowley. Their son became an editor and a military historian later in life.
- // 1934In 1934, he published his autobiographical non-fiction book, ‘Exile’s Return: A Narrative of Ideas’. It depicted the experiences of expatriate American writers in 1920s and the significance of rediscovery of America as a literary source.
- // 1935In 1935, he, along with some other writers, formed the League of American Writers and became its vice-president. He took part in the campaign to convince U.S. government to support the republicans in the Spanish Civil War. He resigned from the post in 1940.
- // 1939In 1939, he received the ‘Harriet Monroe Memorial Prize’ for his poetry.
- // 1941In 1941, he published his second collection of poems, ‘The Dry Seasons’. During the 1940s, he became the editor and literary adviser of the Viking Press, a post he held until 1985. He edited the works of some of the most prolific authors such as Ernest Hemmingway, William Faulkner and Nathaniel Hawthorne.
- // 1946One of his most notable works was the editing of William Faulkner’s collection of short stories, ‘The Portable Faulkner’, in 1946. It established Faulkner as one of the greatest writers of all time and Faulkner expressed his gratitude for Cowley’s significant contribution as the editor of the book.
- // 1954In 1954, he published his portrayal of American writers in the society, ‘The Literary Situation’. In the fall of 1960, Cowley taught the Stegner Fellowship graduate class at Stanford University.
- // 1978His other major work is ‘And I Worked at the Writer’s Trade’ in 1978 which is primarily autobiographical with elements of literary history.
- // 1980In 1980, he was honored with the ‘National Book Award for Biography’ for his exceptional work, ‘And I Worked at the Writer’s Trade’.
- // 1981He also received the ‘National Institute of Arts and Letters Gold Medal’ in 1981.
- // 27th Mar 1989He passed away on March 27, 1989 due to a heart attack, at New Milford, Connecticut, U.S.A.
// Famous Editors
Malcolm Cowley's FAQ
What is Malcolm Cowley birthday?
Malcolm Cowley was born at 1898-08-24
When was Malcolm Cowley died?
Malcolm Cowley was died at 1989-03-27
Where was Malcolm Cowley died?
Malcolm Cowley was died in Connecticut, USA
Which age was Malcolm Cowley died?
Malcolm Cowley was died at age 90
Where is Malcolm Cowley's birth place?
Malcolm Cowley was born in Pennsylvania
What is Malcolm Cowley nationalities?
Malcolm Cowley's nationalities is American
Who is Malcolm Cowley spouses?
Malcolm Cowley's spouses is Marguerite Frances Baird (1919–1931), Muriel Maurer (1932–1989)
Who is Malcolm Cowley childrens?
Malcolm Cowley's childrens is Robert William Cowley
What was Malcolm Cowley universities?
Malcolm Cowley studied at Harvard University
What was Malcolm Cowley notable alumnis?
Malcolm Cowley's notable alumnis is Harvard University
Who is Malcolm Cowley's father?
Malcolm Cowley's father is William Cowley
Who is Malcolm Cowley's mother?
Malcolm Cowley's mother is Josephine Hutmatcher
What is Malcolm Cowley's sun sign?
Malcolm Cowley is Virgo
How famous is Malcolm Cowley?
Malcolm Cowley is famouse as Novelist & Poet