What Dim Arcadian Pastures
Have I known
That suddenly, out of nothing,
A wind is…
Alice Corbin Henderson (1881-1949) was a distinguished American poet, editor, and literary critic who played a crucial role in the early 20th-century literary scene. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, she grew up in Chicago and attended the University of Chicago, where she developed her literary talents. In 1904, she married William Penhallow Henderson, an artist and architect.
Alice Corbin Henderson is perhaps best known for her association with Poetry magazine, where she served as assistant editor from 1912 to 1922 alongside Harriet Monroe. During her tenure, she contributed to the promotion and publication of numerous modernist poets, including Carl Sandburg, Vachel Lindsay, and Ezra Pound, helping to shape the direction of American poetry.
In 1916, Alice and her husband moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she immersed herself in the vibrant Southwestern artistic community. She drew inspiration from the region's landscape and indigenous cultures, which influenced her own poetic works. Her notable publications include "Red Earth: Poems of New Mexico" (1920) and "Dark Weeping" (1921).
Aside from her poetry, Alice Corbin Henderson was an advocate for Native American rights and preservation of their cultural heritage. Her contributions to American literature and her passionate advocacy for social causes have left a lasting impact on the cultural tapestry of the United States.