|
|
|
|
|
Carl Sandburg > 
American poet, historian, and novelist Carl Sandburg was born in Galesburg, Illinois, the second of seven children. Before discovering his true calling, Sandburg worked a variety of odd jobs including milkman, bricklayer, shoeshine boy, janitor, house-painter, fireman, and even spent time traveling as a hobo. When the Spanish-American war broke out, he volunteered for service, but saw no combat, and upon his return to the states enlisted at Lombard college in his hometown of Galesburg--it was here that he would discover his literary talents. His first book, In Reckless Ecstasy, was printed privately in 1904.
Sandburg lived in Chicago from 1912 to 1928, and the city had a profound impact on his work, inspiring him to write some of his most famous poetry which was published in 1916 as Chicago Poems. Sandburg won two Pulitzer Prizes during his lifetime--one for his biography of Abraham Lincoln and one for a collection of his complete poetry. He was also a social activist, a member of the NAACP, and an outspoken advocate of the Civil Rights movement.
|
