Edwin Markham

Edwin Markham (1852–1940) was an American poet, editor, and lecturer, best known for his poem “The Man with the Hoe.” Born in Oregon City, Oregon, he was raised in the American West and later pursued a career in education, serving as a teacher and school principal. Markham gained national attention in 1899 when “The Man with the Hoe,” inspired by Jean-François Millet’s painting, was published and widely discussed for its social message. He went on to publish numerous volumes of poetry and worked as an editor, contributing to American literary culture in the early twentieth century. He died in New York City.