Wystan Hugh Auden, 1907-1973. British author
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Finding-Aid for the Auden Papers [00137]Collection Description
Papers, 1939, 1970
2 items
Access: Open
Wystan Hugh Auden was born in York, England, in 1907. He moved to Birmingham during childhood and was educated at Christ's Church, Oxford. In 1928, Auden published his first book of verse, and his following collection, Poems, published in 1930, established him as the leading voice of a new generation. He is perhaps most admired for his dazzling technical virtuosity and an ability to write poems in nearly every imaginable verse form. He traveled abroad extensively before moving to New York City in 1939, eventually taking U.S. citizenship in 1946. W. H. Auden was a Chancellor of The Academy of American Poets from 1954 to 1973, and divided most of the second half of his life between residences in New York City and Austria. He died in Vienna in 1973, having gained a reputation as one of the towering figures of 20th century English verse.
The first item dated May 1939 is a Sapphic ode, scanned in Auden's hand and annotated by A. Bryan Marvin. The second item is a program for the Wilma and Roswell Messing, Jr. Award, presented to Auden in March 1975. It is signed by Auden.
Selected Names
Auden, W.H., 1907-1973. British author