b. 1905d. 1982
Kenneth Rexroth
Father of the "Beatniks" or "Beats," Kenneth Rexroth was a poet, translator, and essayist. He was politically active and involved in the anarchist movement.
Photo: Kenneth Rexroth, Public Domain
About
Born in South Bend, Indiana, Rexroth was homeschooled and grew up in various places in the Midwest. When he was orphaned at the age of 14, he was sent to live with his aunt in Chicago and subsequently enrolled in the Art Institute of Chicago.
He held various odd jobs throughout his youth and traveled extensively before settling in California after meeting his first wife in 1927. Rexroth was subsequently married four times and served as an inspiration to Beat poets like Allen Ginsberg and Lawrence Ferlinghetti.
Much of Rexroth’s poetry is love poetry, and his inspiration often comes from Greek or Asian poets. Transcendental and deep love is the main inspiration in his poetry.
–Christie Finn
Related Information
Poetry Foundation
poetryfoundation.org/poets/kenneth-rexrothKenneth Rexroth Archive
bopsecrets.org/rexrothKenneth Rexroth Quotes
en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Kenneth_RexrothModern American Poetry
modernamericanpoetry.org/poet/kenneth-rexroth
Sheet Music
Echo’s Songs
Daron Aric Hagen
1. Never Pain to Tell Thy Love
2. I Am Not Yours
3. A Dream Within a Dream
4. Echo's Song
5. I Am Rose
6. Lost
7. Why Did You Go
8. Since You Went Away
9. Thou Wouldst Be Loved
10. Look Down, Fair Moon
11. The Mild Mother
2. I Am Not Yours
3. A Dream Within a Dream
4. Echo's Song
5. I Am Rose
6. Lost
7. Why Did You Go
8. Since You Went Away
9. Thou Wouldst Be Loved
10. Look Down, Fair Moon
11. The Mild Mother