Adelaide Crapsey

Adelaide Crapsey (1878-1914) was an innovative American poet and a pioneering figure in early 20th-century literature. Born in Brooklyn, New York, she spent much of her childhood in Rochester. Crapsey was the daughter of Algernon Sidney Crapsey, an Episcopal priest whose controversial views led to his trial and defrocking, profoundly influencing her thoughts and works. She attended Vassar College, where she excelled academically, and later became a teacher of poetics at Smith College.

Her literary acclaim primarily stems from her invention of the cinquain, a delicate, five-line verse form with a distinct syllabic pattern (2-4-6-8-2). This structured yet minimalistic form showcased her meticulous attention to rhythm and imagery, drawing comparisons to Japanese haiku and tanka. Her work in prosody extended beyond her own poetry, as she was deeply engaged in the study of meter and verse, which reflected her scholarly approach.

Crapsey’s career was tragically cut short when she succumbed to tuberculosis at the age of 36. Despite her brief life, her contributions to modernist poetry have had a lasting impact, and her posthumously published collection, "Verse" (1915), remains a testament to her lyrical precision and innovative spirit.