Facts about Robert Lee Frost

Learn some interesting facts 

about Robert Frost 

  

This week’s famous poet is Robert Frost. Last week’s famous poet was John Keats. 

Gaining insight into the life of Robert Frost, one of America’s most celebrated poets and educators, can significantly enrich one's appreciation for his literary contributions. Born on March 26, 1874, in San Francisco, California, Frost was the son of William Prescott Frost Jr., a journalist and teacher, and Isabelle Moodie, a Scottish immigrant who had moved to the United States. He grew up alongside his sister, Jeanie, which shaped his early experiences and understanding of relationships.

Frost's childhood was marked by both hardship and opportunity. After the death of his father when Robert was just eleven, his family relocated to Lawrence, Massachusetts, where he faced the challenges of financial instability and the impact of loss. These formative experiences profoundly influenced his worldview and, consequently, the themes of nature, rural life, and human emotion that are prevalent in his poetry.

His journey as a poet was not a straight path; despite facing numerous rejections early in his career, Frost persevered, ultimately finding his voice and publishing several renowned collections. The essence of his life story—filled with personal struggles and moments of triumph—greatly informs his unique perspective and the poignant themes he weaves into his work, reflecting the complexities of human existence. Understanding this background can greatly enhance one’s appreciation for the depth and resonance of Frost's poetry.

Here is a list of some poems by Robert Frost: 

• Ghost House
• October
• Storm Fear
• Asking for Roses
• Blueberries
• Good Hours
• Christmas Trees
• The Telephone
• The Moon
• A Time to Talk

Attention, parents and caregivers! Before introducing your little ones to the delightful world of poetry, ensure you select poems that are suitable for their age and level of understanding. Let the magic of words enchant them with stories they'll love!

 

Interesting facts about Robert Frost: 

1. He was born in San Francisco, California, on March 26, 1874. 

He died on January 29, 1963, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was eighty-eight years old. He died from a pulmonary embolism that caused a heart attack. He is buried at the Old Bennington Cemetery in Bennington, Vermont.

2. At the tender age of eleven, he faced a profound loss that would shape his life forever: his father passed away after a long battle with tuberculosis, a devastating illness that had gradually taken its toll on his health. The struggle with the disease not only strained his father's body but also cast a pall over their family, leaving a void that was felt deeply by everyone who loved him. The boy was left to navigate the tumultuous feelings of grief and confusion, struggling to understand the permanence of death at such a young age. 

3. The following is one of Robert Frost’s poems:

A Time to Talk

When a friend calls to me from the road

And slows his horse to a meaning walk,

I don’t stand still and look around

On all the hills I haven’t hoed,

And shout from where I am, ‘What is it?’

No, not as there is a time talk.

I thrust my hoe in the mellow ground,

Blade-end up and five feet tall,

And plod: I go up to the stone wall

For a friendly visit. 

(You can print out a worksheet on this poem. You will fill in the missing words in the poem.) 

4. Robert Lee Frost was named in honor of Robert E. Lee, who served as a general in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. This choice of name was a significant nod to his family's values and history. Frost's parents, both educators, deeply valued the importance of knowledge and history, which influenced their decision. They sought to pay tribute to a prominent historical figure by naming their son Robert Lee. This connection not only highlights the family's appreciation for education but also reflects the cultural and historical context of the time in which Frost was born.

5. In 1892, he completed his education at Lawrence High School, marking the end of his secondary schooling. Following his graduation, he enrolled at Dartmouth College, where he studied for approximately two months before deciding to transfer. In 1897, he made the significant move to Harvard University, one of the most prestigious institutions of higher education in the United States. Unfortunately, his time at Harvard was cut short in 1899 when he was obliged to withdraw due to health issues that prevented him from continuing his studies. Despite the challenges he faced, his early educational journey was marked by ambition and a pursuit of knowledge.

6. Robert Frost had a single sibling, his sister Jeanie Frost, who played a significant role in his life. Throughout their childhood, they shared a close bond, supporting each other in the challenging environment they faced. However, in 1920, Jeanie’s mental health began to decline severely, leading to concerns from their family. After careful consideration and with a heavy heart, Robert made the difficult decision to commit her to a mental hospital. This choice was not made lightly, as it stemmed from a profound sense of responsibility and a desire to ensure she received the care she needed during her struggles with mental illness.

7. Robert Frost married Elinor Miriam White and had six children. Elinor died on March 20, 1938.

Here is a list of their children:

• Elliot Frost (1896-1900)
• Lesley Frost (1899–1983)
• Carol Frost (1902–1940)
• Irma Frost (1903–1967)
• Marjorie Frost (1905–1934)
• Elinor Bettina Frost (1907-1907)

8. Robert Frost's exceptional talent and dedication to poetry earned him the distinction of being the only poet to receive four Pulitzer Prizes. His contributions were further recognized with a Congressional Gold Medal, a testament to the profound impact of his poetry.

9. He got to read one of his poems at John F. Kennedy’s Inauguration on January 20, 1961. 

Here is the poem he recited:

The Gift Outright

The land was ours before we were the land’s.

She was our land more than a hundred years

Before we were her people. She was ours

In Massachusetts, in Virginia,

But we were England’s, still colonials,

Possessing what we still were unpossessed by,

Possessed by what we now no more possessed.

Something we were withholding made us weak

Until we found out that it was ourselves

We were withholding from our land of living,

And forthwith found salvation in surrender.

Such as we were we gave ourselves outright

(The deed of gift was many deeds of war)

To the land vaguely realizing westward,

But still unstoried, artless, unenhanced,

Such as she was, such as she would become.

 

Get your printable Robert Frost worksheet here: 

Click here

 

 

Visit my printables section for a wide selection of worksheets and coloring sheets!

 

Books by Robert Frost and others: 

1. Poetry for Kids: Robert Frost by Robert Frost and Jay Parini

2. The Illustrated Robert Frost: 15 Winter Poems for Children by Robert Frost and Sloth Dreams Publishing

3. Papa Is a Poet: A Story About Robert Frost by Natalie Bober and Rebecca Gibbon

Attention parents and caregivers: It's essential to choose books that are truly suitable for your child. Selecting child-friendly stories not only fosters a love for reading but also nurtures their imagination and development!

 

Tune in next week to learn some quick facts about Walt Whitman!

"Discover the Famous Poets Workbook, available now on Amazon! Click on the book to uncover more about the fascinating world of poetry."

 

“Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words.”—Robert Frost