During the Spanish-American War served as private in Porto Rico.
Studied at Lombard College, Galesburg, 1898-1902, where he was captain of the basket-ball team and editor-in-chief of the college paper.
After leaving college, earned his living in various ways—as advertising manager for a department store, salesman, newspaperman, “safety first” expert. Worked also as district organizer for the Social-Democratic party of Wisconsin and was secretary to the mayor of Milwaukee, 1910-12.
In 1904 he had published a small pamphlet of poems, but his first real appearance before the public was in Poetry, 1914. In the same year he was awarded the Levinson prize for his “Chicago.” In 1918 he shared with Margaret Widdemer ([q. v.]) the prize of the Poetry Society of America; and in 1921, shared this with Stephen Vincent Benét ([q. v.]).
Mr. Sandburg has a good voice and sings his poems to the accompaniment of the guitar.
Suggestions for Reading
1. In judging Mr. Sandburg’s work, it is important to remember that his theory involves complete freedom from conventions of all sorts—in thinking, in metrical form, and in vocabulary. His aim seems to be to reproduce the impressions that all phases of life make upon him.
2. Consider whether his early prairie environment had anything to do with the large scale of his imagination, the appeal to him of enormous periods of time, masses of men, and forces.
3. Do you find elements of universality in his exaggerated localisms? Do they combine to form a definite philosophy?
4. What effect do the eccentricities and crudities of form have upon you? Do you consider them an essential part of his poetic expression or blemishes which he may one day overcome?