Edwin Arlington Robinson

Edwin Arlington Robinson (1869–1935) was an American poet best known for narrative and character-driven verse. Born in Head Tide, Maine, he later lived in Gardiner and attended Harvard University, leaving without a degree. Robinson gained wide recognition for poems that portray inner lives behind outward appearances, including “Richard Cory” and “Miniver Cheevy.” His work often uses traditional forms and plainspoken diction to explore isolation, failure, and moral complexity in small-town settings. Over his career he published many collections and received major honors, including three Pulitzer Prizes for Poetry. He died in New York City in 1935.