Ezra Pound

Ezra Weston Loomis Pound was an American poet and critic who lived from 1885 to 1972. He played an important role in the modernist poetry movement and helped shape the work of many famous writers, such as H.D., Robert Frost, T. S. Eliot, Ernest Hemingway, and James Joyce. Pound's own famous works include Ripostes, Hugh Selwyn Mauberley, and The Cantos.

Pound started his career in the early 1900s by supporting precise and clear writing in poetry through a group called Imagism. He worked with many writers in London and helped publish early versions of important books and poems.

Later in his life, Pound moved to Italy and supported some very strict political ideas. During World War II, he made many radio speeches supporting the Italian government and criticizing others. After the war, he was held by U.S. forces but was later released. Even after his release, Pound's strong opinions made him a controversial figure, and people still talk about his life and work today.

Early life and education (1885–1908)

Pound was born in 1885 in a house in Hailey, Idaho Territory. His father worked for a government office, and his family had roots in England from the 1600s.

As a young child, Pound moved to New York with his mother. He attended local schools and later went to a military academy, where he learned drills and shooting. He traveled to Europe with his mother at a young age, visiting several countries.

Pound later attended the University of Pennsylvania and then Hamilton College in New York. He studied languages, read classic poems, and fell in love with a fellow student named Hilda Doolittle. After graduating, he taught languages at a college in Indiana but was asked to leave after a short time. He then sailed to Europe.

London (1908–1914)

Pound arrived in London after traveling through several places, carrying copies of his first book of poems. He found a place to stay and soon began making friends with other writers and artists. He started working with a magazine and helped discover and support many talented writers.

In 1909, Pound met Dorothy, who later became his wife. He became part of London's literary community, meeting many famous writers. He published more books of poetry and started a new way of writing called Imagism, which focused on clear and simple language. Pound also helped other writers, like James Joyce, share their work with the world.

World War I and leaving England (1914–1921)

When war started in 1914, it changed chances for writers, who were now expected to write patriotic poems. Ezra Pound earned less money during this time.

In 1914, poet T. S. Eliot showed Pound a poem called "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock." Pound thought it was wonderful and helped it get published in 1915.

Pound also translated 25 poems from Classical Chinese, using notes from a person named Ernest Fenollosa. These translations, called Cathay, were very liked by some people, but others argued about how true they were to the original poems.

After Cathay, Pound began working on a very long poem called The Cantos. In 1917, he published the first three parts, called "Three Cantos."

In 1920, Pound published a poem named Hugh Selwyn Mauberley, which said goodbye to London. He felt unappreciated there and decided to move to France. The poem talked about many things, including the literary world, society, and the war.

Paris (1921–1924)

Ezra Pound and his wife moved to Paris in 1921. There, he made friends with artists and writers, including Marcel Duchamp, Fernand Léger, Tristan Tzara, and Basil Bunting. In 1922, young writer Ernest Hemingway visited Pound, who helped guide his early work.

Pound also received a manuscript from poet T. S. Eliot called The Waste Land. Pound edited the poem, making it shorter and clearer. Eliot later thanked Pound for his help.

Italy (1924–1939)

The Pounds were not happy living in Paris, so they moved to a quieter place in Rapallo, a seaside town in Italy, in October 1924. During this time, a woman named Olga Rudge, who was expecting a child with Pound, followed them to Italy. In July 1925, she gave birth to their daughter, Maria. Pound and Rudge chose to have Maria raised by a family in a nearby town.

Pound met with an important leader in 1933 and felt he was now a person of influence. He wrote books and articles supporting this leader’s ideas. Pound believed that certain economic problems were caused by specific groups and wrote many letters and articles sharing his views. He also traveled to the United States to try to prevent America from joining World War II, speaking with lawmakers and giving talks.

World War II and radio broadcasts (1939–1945)

Letter-writing campaign

When war began in September 1939, Pound started writing many letters to politicians. In these letters, he expressed his strong political views and made unkind remarks about certain groups of people. He wrote these views to many important people, including politicians and publishers.

Radio broadcasts

From January 1941 to March 1945, Pound made many radio speeches for a station in Italy. These speeches were in English and sometimes in other languages, and they were sent to many places, including England and the United States. In these speeches, Pound talked about his political views and criticized some leaders and countries.

Arrest for treason

Later, Pound was taken by soldiers and put in a small, tough cage outdoors. He was kept there for a while, and during this time, he started writing poems. After some time, he was moved to a tent where he continued to write.

United States (1945–1958)

St. Elizabeths Hospital

Pound returned to Washington, D.C., in November 1945, just before important court trials began. He faced charges of treason and was placed in a secure room in a hospital. Doctors decided he was not well enough to stand trial. He was moved to a special ward where he stayed in one room with small windows for viewing. Later, he was allowed more comfortable spaces where he could read, write, and have visitors.

The Pisan Cantos, Bollingen Prize

In 1946, a friend prepared some of Pound’s writings for publication. In 1948, these writings won a major poetry prize. This caused a lot of debate because of Pound’s past actions. Some people felt it was wrong for him to receive such an honor.

Diagnosis

Doctors examined Pound and discussed his mental state. Over time, their understanding of his condition changed. They considered different reasons why he behaved as he did.

Political activities while hospitalized

During his time in the hospital, Pound met and talked with several people who shared his strong political views. He stayed involved in discussions about race and government, even writing articles for newspapers under different names.

New Times articles

Pound wrote many articles for a newspaper between 1955 and 1957. In these articles, he shared his opinions on race and world events, often using different names so people would not know he wrote them.

Release

Friends and supporters kept trying to help Pound leave the hospital. In 1958, a lawyer filed papers to end his confinement. The hospital’s director agreed that Pound would not get better and that keeping him there was not helpful. A judge approved his release in May 1958.

Italy (1958–1972)

Ezra Pound and his wife Dorothy arrived in Naples in July 1958. They were met by a young teacher named Marcella Spann. Soon after, they moved to live near Merano in South Tyrol with Pound’s daughter Maria. Dorothy later sent Spann back to the United States.

By late 1959, Pound was struggling with deep sadness. Friends noticed big changes in him, and he often spoke about doubting his life’s work. In 1961, he moved to live with Olga Rudge, first in Rapallo and then in Venice. In 1966, after surgery, he was evaluated at a hospital in Genoa and was helped with medicine. He continued to create art and received recognition for his work.

In 1972, Pound became very weak and was taken to a hospital in Venice, where he passed away peacefully in his sleep. He was buried in Venice’s San Michele cemetery alongside other famous people.

Critical reception

After receiving an award in 1949, Pound's friends worked to rebuild his reputation. They published collections of his poems and essays, often explaining his harmful beliefs as a result of mental health struggles.

Pound played an important role in supporting many famous writers of his time, helping them share their work with the world. Though he had a great impact on poetry and literature, some feel that his actions during World War II overshadowed his contributions. Others debate whether his poetry should be separated from his later beliefs and actions.

Selected works

Ezra Pound wrote many important poems and books. Some of his well-known works include Ripostes from 1912, Hugh Selwyn Mauberley from 1920, and The Cantos, which he worked on from around 1915 to 1962.

Pound also helped other writers by sharing their work with the world. He supported poets and authors like H.D., Robert Frost, T. S. Eliot, Ernest Hemingway, and James Joyce.

Explanatory notes

No explanatory notes were provided in the source content for this section.