Carl Sandburg

Carl Sandburg (1878-1967) was an eminent American poet, biographer, writer, and editor, celebrated for his significant contribution to American literature and culture. Born in Galesburg, Illinois, to Swedish immigrant parents, Sandburg left school at the age of thirteen to work various odd jobs. His diverse experiences, from being a laborer to serving in the Spanish-American War, greatly influenced his writing.

Sandburg gained national recognition with his poetry collection "Chicago Poems" (1916), which depicted industrial America with raw and revolutionary realism. His distinct free verse style and his focus on both the beauty and brutality of everyday life resonated with a wide audience. In addition to poetry, Sandburg is renowned for his comprehensive six-volume biography of Abraham Lincoln, spanning from "Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years" (1926) to "Abraham Lincoln: The War Years" (1939), which won him two Pulitzer Prizes.

Throughout his life, Sandburg was an advocate for social justice, championing the rights of workers and promoting democratic ideals. He also ventured into folk music, compiling and performing American folk songs. Sandburg's legacy is marked by his versatility as a writer and his unwavering commitment to capturing the American spirit with authenticity and passion.