John Lawrence Ashbery
- Born:
- July 28, 1927, Rochester, New York, USA
- Died:
- September 3, 2017, Hudson, New York, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Poet, Essayist, Art Critic
Early Life and Education
- Grew up on a fruit farm near Lake Ontario.
- Attended Deerfield Academy and wrote for the school newspaper.
- Graduated from Harvard University in 1949, studying under Harry Levin.
- Earned an M.A. from Columbia University in 1951.
Career and Major Achievements
- Lived in France from 1955 to 1965, working as an art critic for the Paris Herald Tribune and Art International.
- Returned to the United States and taught at Brooklyn College.
- Later taught at Harvard University and Bard College.
- Won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1976 for Self-Portrait in a Convex Mirror.
- Received the National Book Award for Poetry in 1975 for Self-Portrait in a Convex Mirror.
- Was a Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets.
Notable Works
- Turandot and Other Studies (1953)
- Some Trees (1956)
- The Tennis Court Oath (1962)
- Rivers and Mountains (1966)
- Self-Portrait in a Convex Mirror (1975)
- Houseboat Days (1977)
- A Wave (1984)
- Flow Chart (1991)
- Chinese Whispers (2002)
Legacy and Impact
John Lawrence Ashbery was a highly influential and prolific American poet, whose work is characterized by its experimental nature, linguistic playfulness, and exploration of consciousness. A detailed biography and pictures of john lawrence ashbery reveal his enduring contribution to modern literature, challenging traditional poetic forms and influencing generations of poets and artists. His complex and often enigmatic style made him a central figure in the New York School of poetry.