Poetry Out Loud

Stephen Vincent Benét (1898-1943)

Stephen Vincent Benét was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in 1898. He attended Yale University and published two works of poetry while there, until civilian military service forced him to put his studies on hold for a year. He graduated in 1919, after submitting a third book of poetry as a substitute for a thesis. In 1921 he published his first novel, The Beginning of Wisdom, and soon after traveled to Paris in order to study at the Sorbonne. He returned in 1923 with Rosemary Carr, his new wife. Benét continued to write not just poetry, but novels, short stories, even an opera libretto. He is best known for his epic about the Civil War, John Brown’s Body, which won him a Pulitzer Prize in 1929. Benét received several other honors during his lifetime, and was awarded a second Pulitzer for Western Star, published after his sudden death from a heart attack in 1943.

POEMS
Difference

HOME

BLOG

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

POEMS
Browse Poems
Browse Poets
Pre-20th Century
25-Lines and Fewer
Keyword Search
Today's Poet
Audio Guide
Videos

TEACHERS GUIDE
Table of Contents
Writing Activities &
  Lesson Plans

Contest Promotion

FOR TEACHERS
State Contacts
Judges Guide
Teacher FAQ
NCTE Standards
Students with
  Disabilities

Competition Resources
Teacher Quotes
Teacher Feedback

FOR STUDENTS
Find a Poem
Evaluation Criteria
Student FAQ
Submit Comments

NEWS & EVENTS
National Finals
Press Releases
Events Calendar
Media Contacts
News Clips
Photo Gallery
Download Graphics

FOR STATE PARTNERS
Contacts
Program Resources
State Partner FAQ
Finals Planning
Download Graphics
SAA Forum

STATE CONTACTS