JL
James Laughlin
35quotes
James Laughlin
Full Name and Common Aliases
James Laughlin was a renowned American publisher, editor, and critic, best known for founding New Directions Publishing.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on November 28, 1914, in Boston, Massachusetts, Laughlin passed away on October 19, 1997, at the age of 82.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Laughlin was an American citizen, and his profession spanned multiple areas: publishing, editing, and literary criticism. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential publishers of the 20th century.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in a family that valued literature and culture, Laughlin developed a deep appreciation for poetry and fiction at an early age. He studied English literature at Harvard University, where he became acquainted with modernist writers such as T.S. Eliot and Ezra Pound. This exposure had a profound impact on his future endeavors.
Major Accomplishments
Laughlin's most notable achievement was founding New Directions Publishing in 1936, which quickly gained recognition for publishing innovative works by both established and emerging authors. Under his guidance, the company played a pivotal role in introducing American readers to European modernism, as well as fostering the careers of influential writers like Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, and William S. Burroughs.
Notable Works or Actions
Throughout his career, Laughlin was instrumental in publishing numerous groundbreaking works, including:
T.S. Eliot's "Four Quartets" (1943) - a masterpiece of modernist poetry that cemented Eliot's reputation as one of the greatest poets of the 20th century.
Ezra Pound's "Guide to Kulchur" (1938) - a provocative and influential work that explored the intersection of art, culture, and politics.
* Allen Ginsberg's "Howl" (1956) - an iconic poem that captured the spirit of the Beat Generation and became a cultural touchstone.
Impact and Legacy
Laughlin's contributions to modern literature are immeasurable. He not only championed innovative writers but also helped shape the literary landscape of his time. His commitment to publishing works that challenged conventional norms has inspired generations of readers, writers, and publishers.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
James Laughlin is widely quoted and remembered for his unwavering dedication to promoting artistic freedom and innovation. As a publisher, editor, and critic, he played a crucial role in shaping the literary canon of the 20th century. His legacy serves as a testament to the power of publishing to challenge societal norms, push boundaries, and inspire new voices.
As we reflect on Laughlin's remarkable life and career, it becomes clear that his impact extends far beyond the realm of literature. He embodied the spirit of creative experimentation and intellectual curiosity, leaving behind a lasting legacy that continues to inspire readers, writers, and publishers alike.
Quotes by James Laughlin
James Laughlin's insights on:
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I think that concrete poetry seems to have, as far as I can see, come to a kind of a dead end. It doesn’t seem to be going any further than it went in its high period of about five or six years ago.
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I think that is where poetry reading becomes such an individual thing. I mean I have friend who like poets who just don’t say anything to me at all, I mean they seem to me rather ordinary and pedestrian.
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I think there is a great difference, in that when the poet is reading you get the whole personality of the person, especially if he’s a good reader. Whereas a person just sitting gets what he puts into it.
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I think there’s no excuse for the American poetry reader not knowing a good deal about what is going on in the rest of the world.
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Concrete poets continue to turn out beautiful things, but to me they’re more visual than oral, and they almost really belong on the wall rather than in a book. I haven’t the least idea of where poetry is going.
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I often feel I’m working in a vacuum, or in a country where few readers can hear the sounds.
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I think we will always have the impulse towards visual poetry with us, and I wouldn’t agree with Bly that it’s a bad thing. It depends on the ability of the individual poet to do it well, and to make a shape which is interesting enough to hold your attention.
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I think most people read and re-read the things that they have liked. That’s certainly true in my case. I re-read Pound a great deal, I re-read Williams, I re-read Thomas, I re-read the people whom I cam to love when I was at what you might call a formative stage.
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Of course a poem is a two-way street. No poem is any good if it doesn’t suggest to the reader things from his own mind and recollection that he will read into it, and will add to what the poet has suggested. But I do think poetry readings are very important.
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It’s all well and good to say that Germans were all responsible for the concentration camps, but I don’t think they were. I think that was the work of a small group of fiends.
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