Vachel Lindsay

Nicholas Vachel Lindsay ( November 10, 1879 in Springfield, Illinois, † December 5, 1931 ) was an American writer.

Life

About Lindsay's childhood and youth is not very much known. Early on, he moved as migrant workers and tramp through the country. For room and board, he wrote often occasional poems.

Lindsay saw himself as a " poetic prophet ," the " evangelist of beauty " ( The gospel of beauty ). One major concern of his was to inspire the people for poetry. At fairs, livestock auctions and similar events he presented his poetry. The vast majority of his lyrical creativity shows a great optimism. Also in the form of Lindsay tried to break new ground, but did not get beyond folkloric elements. Significantly was also a strongly accented rhythm. He himself described his literary work as a Higher Vaudeville.

At the age of 52 years Nicholas Vachel Lindsay committed suicide on December 5, 1931 in Springfield, Illinois, committed suicide.

Works

• Adventures while preaching the gospel of beauty ( 1914)
• The candle in the cabin (1926 )
• The Chinese nightingale and other poems (1917 )
• The Congo and other poems (1914 )
• General William Booth Enters into heaven and other poems (1913 )
• The golden book of Springfield ( 1920)
• A handy guide for beggars (1916 )
• In praise of Johnny Appleseed
• The litany of Washington Street ( 1929)
• Rhymes to be traded for bread (1912 )
• The tramp 's excuse and other poems (1909 )

Trivia

Lindsay's poem The Congo gained some notoriety, as some lines are quotes from the movie The Dead Poets Society: (Translation: "Then God came I had a face and turn mocking me to the noise of the feast me 'Cause I saw gargle the Congo! . through the night, roll through the confusion of his mature glory ... "). The same is true for General William Booth Enters into heaven, sung parallel to the tragic climax.