Marianne Moore
Biography of Marianne Moore
Full Name and Common Aliases
Full Name: Marianne Craig Moore
Common Aliases: None
Birth and Death Dates
Born: November 15, 1887
Died: February 5, 1972
Nationality and Profession(s)
Nationality: American
Profession(s): Poet, Editor, Critic
Early Life and Background
Marianne Moore was born in Kirkwood, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis, to John Milton Moore and Mary Warner Moore. Her father, an engineer and inventor, suffered from mental illness and was institutionalized before her birth, leaving her mother to raise Marianne and her brother, John Warner Moore, alone. The family moved to Pennsylvania, where Moore attended the Metzger Institute, a preparatory school for girls, and later Bryn Mawr College. At Bryn Mawr, she studied biology and histology, which would later influence her precise and detailed poetic style. Moore graduated in 1909 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Major Accomplishments
Marianne Moore's career as a poet began in earnest in the 1910s, with her work appearing in various literary magazines. Her first book, "Poems," was published in 1921 without her knowledge by friends H.D. and Bryher. Moore's unique style, characterized by its syllabic verse, keen observations, and wit, quickly garnered attention. She became a central figure in the modernist poetry movement, alongside contemporaries such as T.S. Eliot and Ezra Pound.
Moore's editorial work at "The Dial," a prestigious literary magazine, from 1925 to 1929, further cemented her influence in the literary world. Under her editorship, "The Dial" published works by many leading modernist writers, and Moore's discerning eye helped shape the direction of 20th-century literature.
Notable Works or Actions
Among Moore's most celebrated works is her 1951 collection, "Collected Poems," which won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, the National Book Award, and the Bollingen Prize. This collection includes some of her most famous poems, such as "The Fish," "Poetry," and "The Steeple-Jack." Her poem "Poetry," in particular, is often quoted for its opening lines, which reflect her complex relationship with the art form: "I, too, dislike it: there are things that are important beyond all this fiddle."
Moore's work is noted for its precision, wit, and the incorporation of quotes and allusions from a wide range of sources, including scientific texts, historical documents, and other literary works. Her ability to weave these elements into her poetry with a distinctive voice made her a unique figure in American literature.
Impact and Legacy
Marianne Moore's impact on American poetry is profound. Her innovative use of language and form challenged traditional poetic conventions and expanded the possibilities of what poetry could achieve. Her influence is evident in the works of later poets, including Elizabeth Bishop, who was both a friend and a protégé.
Moore's legacy extends beyond her poetry. As an editor, she played a crucial role in shaping the modernist literary landscape, championing the works of other writers and fostering a community of innovation and creativity. Her contributions to literature were recognized with numerous awards and honors, including her election to the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the National Institute of Arts and Letters.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Marianne Moore is widely quoted and remembered for her distinctive voice and her ability to capture the complexity of human experience with clarity and precision. Her poetry, often characterized by its wit and intellectual rigor, resonates with readers for its exploration of themes such as identity, nature, and the role of art in society.
Moore's work continues to be studied and celebrated for its originality and depth. Her ability to blend the mundane with the profound, and her skill in crafting poems that are both accessible and intellectually challenging, ensure her place as a significant figure in American literature. Her quotes, often reflecting her sharp wit and insightful observations, remain relevant and thought-provoking, contributing to her enduring legacy as one of the 20th century's most important poets.
Quotes by Marianne Moore
Marianne Moore's insights on:
It is quite cruel that a poet cannot wander through his regions of enchantment without having a critic, forever, like the old man of the sea, upon his back.
Hate-hardened heart, O heart of iron, iron is iron till it is rust. There never was a war that was not inward;.
Not till the poets among us can be “literalists of the imagination”-above insolence and triviality and can present for inspection, “imaginary gardens with real toads in them.” shall we have it.
My father used to say, “Superior people never make long visits, have to be shown Longfellows grave, or the glass flowers at Harvard.”
We don’t like flowers that do not wilt; they must die, and nine she-camel hairs aid memory.
The prey of fear, he, always curtailed, extinguished, thwarted by the dusk, work partly done, says to the alternating blaze, “Again the sun! anew each day; and new and new and new, that comes into and steadies my soul.”