American poets
American poetry is a rich tapestry, woven with the voices of countless talented poets who have shaped literary history. From the profound introspection of Emily Dickinson to the raw energy of Allen Ginsberg’s beat poetry, American poets have captivated audiences with their diverse styles and evocative expressions. Each poet brings a unique perspective, reflecting the nation’s vast landscapes, cultural complexities, and societal struggles. This introduction serves as a glimpse into the vibrant world of American poets, who continue to inspire and illuminate the human experience through the art of verse.
Listing top American poets is subjective, as different people may have varying preferences and opinions. However, we can provide you with a list of 10 influential and renowned American poets who have made significant contributions to the world of poetry.
Read also: Civil rights poems
Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) was an American poet known for her unique and groundbreaking contributions to literature. She was born in Amherst, Massachusetts, into a prominent and educated family. Dickinson spent most of her life in seclusion, rarely leaving her family home. Despite her limited public exposure, she wrote an extensive collection of poems that tackled profound themes like nature, love, death, immortality, and the human experience.During her lifetime, Emily Dickinson’s work remained mostly unknown to the wider world, and she was virtually unpublished. It wasn’t until after her death that her poems were discovered and recognized for their brilliance. Her younger sister, Lavinia Dickinson, discovered her cache of nearly 1,800 poems and sought to publish them.
Emily Dickinson’s writing style was innovative and unconventional. She employed dashes, capitalization, and unique syntax to create distinct rhythms and to emphasize certain ideas and emotions. Her poems often feature short lines, compact phrases, and profound insights, making her an essential figure in American poetry.
Her poetry has since become widely celebrated, and Emily Dickinson is considered one of the most significant poets in American literature. Her work has inspired countless readers and continues to influence poets and writers to this day. Her contribution to the literary world is invaluable, and her poems are often studied, analyzed, and admired for their depth and complexity.
Poems by Emily Dickinson:
Emily Dickinson wrote nearly 1,800 poems during her lifetime. Here are a few examples of her poems that showcase her unique style and profound insights:
“Hope” is the thing with feathers BY EMILY DICKINSON
A Bird, came down the Walk BY EMILY DICKINSON
Because I could not stop for Death BY EMILY DICKINSON
Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman (1819-1892) was an American poet, essayist, and journalist, considered one of the most influential and celebrated poets in American literature. He was born on May 31, 1819, in West Hills, Long Island, New York. Whitman’s poetic style was revolutionary for its time, and he is often referred to as the “father of free verse” for his departure from traditional poetic structures and rhyme schemes.
Whitman’s most famous work is the epic poetry collection titled “Leaves of Grass,” which he self-published in 1855. The collection underwent several revisions and expansions over the years, with the final version containing over 400 poems. “Leaves of Grass” celebrates the individual, the nation, nature, and humanity’s interconnectedness, and it exudes a sense of exuberance and optimism.
One of the central themes in Whitman’s poetry is his celebration of democracy, equality, and the diversity of the American experience. He was a strong advocate for human rights and social justice, and his poems often reflected his views on abolitionism and the Civil War.
Whitman’s writing style was characterized by long, flowing lines, cataloging, and vivid imagery. His poems embraced both the ordinary and the extraordinary aspects of life, and he sought to capture the beauty in everyday occurrences.
Some of Walt Whitman’s notable poems include “Song of Myself,” “I Sing the Body Electric,” “O Captain! My Captain!,” and “When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d.” His work had a profound impact on later poets and continues to be studied, appreciated, and admired for its celebration of the human spirit and its embodiment of the American identity.
Poems by Walt Whitma
“Song of Myself”
“O Captain! My Captain!”
“I Sing the Body Electric”
“Song of the Open Road”
Robert Frost
Robert Frost (1874-1963) was an American poet widely regarded as one of the most significant and celebrated poets in American literature. He was born on March 26, 1874, in San Francisco, California. Frost’s work is known for its evocative imagery, rural settings, and exploration of complex themes such as nature, human struggles, and the human condition.
Frost’s poetry is often associated with New England, where he spent a significant portion of his life. He grew up in Massachusetts and later attended Dartmouth College and Harvard University, though he never earned a formal degree. Frost worked as a teacher, farmer, and editor before devoting himself to writing poetry.
His first poetry collection, “A Boy’s Will,” was published in 1913, followed by “North of Boston” in 1914, which brought him considerable attention and critical acclaim. In 1923, Frost won the Pulitzer Prize for his poetry collection “New Hampshire: A Poem with Notes and Grace Notes.” Throughout his career, he received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to literature.
Frost’s poetry often features a sense of nostalgia, reflection on the passage of time, and an exploration of human dilemmas and choices. His poems have a clear and accessible style, making them resonate with a wide range of readers. Some of his most famous poems include “The Road Not Taken,” “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” “Birches,” and “Mending Wall.”
Robert Frost’s work continues to be studied, appreciated, and quoted around the world for its timeless themes and memorable verses. His profound influence on American poetry has solidified his place as one of the most beloved and enduring poets in literary history.
Poems by Robert Frost
“The Road Not Taken
“Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”
“Birches”
Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes (1902-1967) was an American poet, novelist, playwright, and activist, known for his significant contributions to the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural, social, and artistic movement that took place during the 1920s and 1930s in Harlem, New York City. He was born on February 1, 1902, in Joplin, Missouri.
Hughes’ work focused on the experiences of African Americans, and he became one of the most prominent voices of the African American community during his time. His poetry and writings often dealt with themes of racial identity, inequality, the African American experience, and the struggle for civil rights.
He attended Columbia University but left before completing his degree, choosing to travel and work various jobs around the world. His travels and experiences greatly influenced his writing and worldview.
In 1926, Langston Hughes’ first book of poetry, titled “The Weary Blues,” was published, garnering him critical acclaim. Over the course of his career, he wrote numerous books of poetry, essays, and plays, as well as novels, short stories, and works for children.
Some of his most famous poems include “The Negro Speaks of Rivers,” “I, Too,” “Harlem,” and “Dreams.” Hughes’ poetry often employed a musical and rhythmic quality, drawing on the influences of jazz, blues, and the oral traditions of African American culture.
In addition to his literary contributions, Langston Hughes was an activist and an advocate for social justice and civil rights. He used his writing to raise awareness about racial discrimination and inequality, promoting a vision of a united, equal, and inclusive America.
Langston Hughes’ impact on American literature and civil rights has been enduring, and his work continues to be celebrated and studied for its profound social and artistic significance. He remains one of the most influential figures in African American literature and an important voice in the broader American literary canon.
poems by Langston Hughes
“Harlem” (also known as “A Dream Deferred”)
“The Negro Speaks of Rivers”
“I, Too”
“Mother to Son”
Sylvia Plath
Sylvia Plath (1932-1963) was an American poet, novelist, and short-story writer. She is widely regarded as one of the most influential poets of the 20th century. Plath was born on October 27, 1932, in Boston, Massachusetts. Her life and work were marked by an intense emotional struggle, which she often channeled into her poetry.
Plath attended Smith College, where she excelled academically and began to establish herself as a talented writer. After graduating, she received a Fulbright scholarship to study at Cambridge University in England. During her time in England, she met and married British poet Ted Hughes, with whom she had two children.
Throughout her career, Plath’s work explored themes of mental illness, identity, feminism, and existential angst. She was known for her vivid and haunting imagery, as well as her ability to confront and express deeply personal emotions in her poetry.
Plath’s most famous work, her only novel, “The Bell Jar,” was published under the pseudonym Victoria Lucas in 1963, just a month before her death. The novel is a semi-autobiographical account of a young woman’s struggles with mental illness, and it remains a significant work in the literary canon.
Tragically, Sylvia Plath struggled with depression throughout her life, and on February 11, 1963, at the age of 30, she died by suicide. Despite her short life, her body of work had a lasting impact on literature and the study of poetry. After her death, her poetry collection “Ariel,” which includes some of her most powerful and well-known poems, was published, further solidifying her legacy as a literary icon. Her work continues to be widely read and studied, and she is remembered as a brilliant and deeply influential poet of her time.
Poems by Sylvia Plath
“Daddy”
“Mirror”
“Ariel
Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou (1928-2014) was an American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist. She was born on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri, as Marguerite Annie Johnson. Angelou is best known for her autobiographical work, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” which became a critically acclaimed and widely read memoir.
Her early life was marked by adversity, including experiencing racial discrimination and trauma. At the age of seven, she was raped by her mother’s boyfriend, which had a profound impact on her life and sense of self. Following the incident, Angelou stopped speaking for nearly five years, during which she found solace in reading and writing.
Angelou’s literary career began as a young woman, and she worked as a singer, dancer, and actress before delving into writing. In the 1960s, she became involved in the civil rights movement, working alongside prominent activists like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Her activism and writings championed civil rights, racial equality, and social justice.
“I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” (1969) is the first of Angelou’s seven autobiographical volumes. The book recounts her early life, including her experiences with racism, identity, and self-discovery. It received widespread acclaim for its honest portrayal of Angelou’s life and the societal issues of the time.
Besides her autobiographical works, Maya Angelou was a prolific poet. Some of her famous poems include “Still I Rise,” “Phenomenal Woman,” and “Caged Bird.” Her poetry often celebrated resilience, inner strength, and the triumph of the human spirit.
Throughout her career, Maya Angelou received numerous awards and honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the National Medal of Arts. She served as a poet and speaker at President Bill Clinton’s inauguration in 1993.
Maya Angelou’s work, both in prose and poetry, continues to resonate with readers worldwide, and she remains an enduring figure in American literature and civil rights history. Her writings have inspired and touched countless people, leaving a powerful legacy of hope, empowerment, and social change.
Poems by Maya Angelou
“Still I Rise”
“Phenomenal Woman”
“On the Pulse of Morning”
T.S. Eliot
T.S. Eliot (1888-1965) was a British-American poet, essayist, playwright, and literary critic. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential poets of the 20th century and a central figure in modernist literature. Eliot was born on September 26, 1888, in St. Louis, Missouri, United States, but he later moved to England and became a British citizen.
Eliot’s most famous and groundbreaking work is the epic poem “The Waste Land,” published in 1922. This poem is considered a landmark of modernist poetry and is known for its complex structure, intertextual references, and its exploration of themes such as disillusionment, decay, and the fragmented nature of modern life.
Another significant work by T.S. Eliot is “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock,” which was published in 1915 and is often seen as one of the earliest examples of modernist poetry. The poem delves into the thoughts and anxieties of the speaker, J. Alfred Prufrock, as he contemplates love, mortality, and his place in the world.
Eliot’s poetry is characterized by its intellectual depth, literary allusions, and rich imagery. His use of innovative techniques, such as stream of consciousness, juxtaposition, and fragmented narrative, revolutionized the poetic form and influenced generations of poets to come.
In addition to his poetry, T.S. Eliot was a prominent essayist and literary critic. He penned several critical essays on literature and culture, including “Tradition and the Individual Talent” and “The Sacred Wood,” which helped shape the direction of literary criticism in the 20th century.
In 1948, T.S. Eliot was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for his outstanding contribution to poetry and literature. His impact on modern literature and his poetic legacy continue to be celebrated and studied by scholars and poetry enthusiasts worldwide.
Poems by T.S. Eliot
“The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”
“The Waste Land”
“Ash Wednesday”
“The Hollow Men”
“Journey of the Magi”
Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) was an American writer, poet, editor, and literary critic. He is best known for his contributions to the genres of mystery, horror, and the macabre. Poe’s work has had a profound and lasting influence on literature, particularly in the realms of Gothic and dark romanticism.
Poe was born on January 19, 1809, in Boston, Massachusetts. His parents were both actors, and they died when Poe was very young. He was taken in by John Allan, a wealthy tobacco merchant, and his wife Frances, who raised him in Richmond, Virginia. However, Poe’s relationship with his foster father was strained, and they had frequent disagreements, leading to Poe leaving home to pursue his literary ambitions.
Throughout his life, Edgar Allan Poe faced many personal and financial hardships. Despite these challenges, he continued to write and publish his works. His first collection of poetry, “Tamerlane and Other Poems,” was published in 1827, and he went on to write some of his most famous and enduring works, including “The Fall of the House of Usher,” “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Pit and the Pendulum,” and “The Raven.”
“The Raven” is perhaps Poe’s most famous poem, first published in 1845. It tells the haunting tale of a man visited by a mysterious raven, who repeatedly utters the word “nevermore.” The poem’s dark and melancholic tone, along with its rhythmic and musical qualities, made it a classic of American literature.
Poe’s literary style often explored themes of death, the supernatural, madness, and the darker aspects of the human psyche. His writing is characterized by its eerie atmosphere, vivid imagery, and psychological depth.
Despite facing numerous personal struggles and financial difficulties, Edgar Allan Poe’s literary contributions were significant and enduring. He is considered a pioneer of the short story and detective fiction genres, and his impact on the horror and mystery genres continues to be felt to this day. Poe’s works have inspired countless writers, and he remains a celebrated figure in American literature.
poems by Edgar Allan Poe
“The Raven”
Annabel Lee”
The Bells
“A Dream Within a Dream”
Elizabeth Bishop
Elizabeth Bishop (1911-1979) was an American poet and short-story writer, widely regarded as one of the most important and accomplished poets of the 20th century. She was born on February 8, 1911, in Worcester, Massachusetts, and grew up with a troubled childhood, marked by the early loss of her father and the subsequent mental illness of her mother.
Despite the challenges she faced, Bishop developed a deep passion for poetry from a young age and began writing at an early age. She attended Vassar College and later studied at the University of Iowa, where she worked with renowned poet and critic John Crowe Ransom.
Bishop’s poetry is characterized by its attention to detail, vivid imagery, and a keen sense of observation. She often explored themes of loss, memory, travel, and the natural world. Her poems are known for their technical precision and intricate word choices, as well as their emotional depth and subtlety.
Her first collection of poetry, “North & South,” was published in 1946 and received critical acclaim. Over the course of her career, Bishop continued to write and publish poetry, earning numerous awards and honors, including the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1956 for her collection “Poems: North & South/A Cold Spring.”
One of Bishop’s most famous poems is “One Art,” in which she explores the theme of loss and the art of losing, expressing that “the art of losing isn’t hard to master.”
In addition to her poetry, Elizabeth Bishop also wrote short stories and translated the works of other poets, including the Brazilian poet João Cabral de Melo Neto.
Bishop’s impact on poetry was significant, and her legacy continues to be celebrated and studied by writers, poets, and scholars worldwide. Her poetry remains admired for its craftsmanship, emotional resonance, and profound insights into the human condition.
Poems by Elizabeth Bishop
“One Art
“The Fish”
“In the Waiting Room”
Allen Ginsberg
Allen Ginsberg (1926-1997) was an American poet, essayist, and prominent figure in the Beat Generation literary movement. He was born on June 3, 1926, in Newark, New Jersey. Ginsberg’s work was deeply influenced by his experiences and his views on counterculture, spirituality, and social issues.
Ginsberg is best known for his iconic poem “Howl,” which was published in 1956 as part of his poetry collection also titled “Howl and Other Poems.” “Howl” is a groundbreaking work that challenged societal norms and explored themes of rebellion, sexuality, and the human condition. The poem became a symbol of the Beat Generation’s defiance against mainstream culture.
During his college years at Columbia University, Ginsberg became friends with fellow writers and poets like Jack Kerouac and William S. Burroughs, and together they became key figures in the Beat Generation movement, which emerged in the 1950s as a response to the conformity of post-World War II America. The Beats sought freedom of expression, spontaneity, and spiritual exploration, often reflecting their experiences with drugs, sexuality, and non-conventional lifestyles in their writing.
In addition to “Howl,” some of Ginsberg’s other notable works include “Kaddish,” “America,” “A Supermarket in California,” and “Sunflower Sutra.” His poetry often mixed a blend of political activism, personal revelations, and a distinct style of free verse, which was influential in shaping the direction of modern American poetry.
Ginsberg’s poetry and his role as a cultural icon made him a central figure in the countercultural movement of the 1960s. He was an outspoken advocate for social justice, anti-war efforts, and LGBTQ+ rights. His influence extended beyond poetry, as he actively participated in political demonstrations and social movements throughout his life.
Allen Ginsberg’s contributions to literature and his impact on the counterculture continue to be celebrated. He remains an enduring figure in American poetry and is remembered as one of the leading voices of his generation. Ginsberg passed away on April 5, 1997, but his poetry and legacy live on, inspiring future generations of writers and artists.
poems by Allen Ginsberg
“Howl”
“America”
“Sunflower Sutra”
