Sara Teasdale

Sara Teasdale (August 8, 1884 – January 29, 1933) was an American lyric poet renowned for her evocative and emotionally rich verse. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Teasdale suffered from poor health during her childhood, which led to her being homeschooled until she was nine. She later attended Mary Institute and Hosmer Hall, where she developed a passion for poetry. Teasdale's first poetry collection, "Sonnets to Duse and Other Poems," was published in 1907 and showcased her delicate, yet poignant style.

Her subsequent collections, such as "Helen of Troy and Other Poems" (1911) and "Rivers to the Sea" (1915), further solidified her reputation. In 1918, she received the Columbia University Poetry Society Prize, later known as the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, for her 1917 collection "Love Songs." Teasdale's poetry often explored themes of love, nature, and mortality, characterized by clear imagery and musicality.

Teasdale married Ernst Filsinger in 1914 but later divorced in 1929. Battling depression, her later years were marked by declining health and deepening sadness. On January 29, 1933, she tragically took her own life. Despite her brief and troubled life, Teasdale's lyrical poems continue to be celebrated for their emotional honesty and timeless beauty.