Anthony Hecht

Anthony Ivan Hecht, (January 16 1923-October 20 2004), was an American poet. His work combined a deep interest in form with a passionate desire to confront the horrors of 20th century history, with the Second World War, in which he fought, and the Holocaust being recurrent themes in his work.

Early years

Hecht was born in New York City to German-Jewish parents. He was educated at various schools in the city - he was a classmate of Jack Kerouac at one point - but showed no great academic ability, something he would later refer to as "conspicuous". However, as a freshman English student at Bard College in New York he discovered the works of Stevens, Auden, Eliot, and Dylan Thomas, it was at this point that he decided he would become a poet. Hecht's parents were not happy at his plans and tried to discourage them; even getting family friend Ted Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, to attempt to dissuade him.

Related Topics:
New York City - German - Jewish - Jack Kerouac - Bard College - Stevens - Auden - Eliot - Dylan Thomas - Ted Geisel

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In 1944, upon completing his final year at Bard, Hecht was drafted into the US 97th Infantry Division and was sent to the battlefields in Europe. He saw a great deal of combat in Germany, France, and Czechoslovakia. However, his most significant experience occurred on April 23 1945. On this day Hecht's division helped liberate Flossenbürg concentration camp, Hecht was ordered to interview French prisoners in the hope of gathering evidence on the camp's commanders. Years later, Hecht said of this experience, "The place, the suffering, the prisoners' accounts were beyond comprehension. For years after I would wake shrieking."

Related Topics:
1944 - US 97th Infantry Division - Europe - Germany - France - Czechoslovakia - April 23 - 1945 - Flossenbürg concentration camp

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