Arthur Davison Ficke

Arthur Davison Ficke (1883-1945) was an American poet and essayist known for his refined and often reflective verse. Born in Davenport, Iowa, Ficke was the son of an attorney and would later follow in his father's professional footsteps while simultaneously cultivating a rich literary career. He graduated from Harvard University in 1904, where he was influenced by the burgeoning modernist movement.

Ficke's early poetry exhibited a traditional style, but he later became involved with the Imagist and Vorticist movements, which championed clarity, precision, and concentrated imagery. In collaboration with Witter Bynner, he famously co-authored "Spectra" in 1916 under the pseudonym "Anne Knish," a collection that satirized the abstruseness of contemporary modernist poetry, exposing the sometimes pretentious nature of such works.

Despite this playful critique, Ficke's legitimate literary contributions were sincere and profound. His works such as "The Happy Princess and Other Poems" (1915) and "Out of Silence and Other Poems" (1924) earned critical acclaim for their depth and stylistic mastery. Ficke also penned essays and art criticism, contributing to literary journals and expanding his influence in the world of letters.

Arthur Davison Ficke's life was marked by both professional success and personal turmoil. His first marriage ended in divorce, and after the death of his second wife, he succumbed to illness in 1945. Nonetheless, his legacy endures through his rich body of literary works.