Kenneth Rexroth

American poet and translator Kenneth Rexroth (December 221905 – June 61982) was among the first poets in the United States to explore Japanese poetry traditions such as haiku. He is credited with having led the "poetry renaissance" in San Francisco and was associated with the Beat Generation, although he was later critical of the movement. Rexroth's poetry, essays and journalism reflect interests in jazz, politics, culture and ecology. Rexroth's poetic voice is similar to that of Du Fu, whom he translated, expressing indignation with the inequities of the world from an existential perspective.

Early years

Rexroth was born Kenneth Charles Marion Rexroth in South Bend, Indiana, the son of Charles Rexroth, a pharmaceuticals salesman, and Delia Reed. His mother died in 1916 and his father in 1918, after which he went to live with his aunt in Chicago and enrolled in Chicago Art Institute. He spent his teenage years as an art student and soda jerk, along with other odd jobs. In 1923–1924 he was imprisoned for being partial owner of a brothel. He married Andree Dutcher in 1927, a commercial artist from Chicago. Andree died of complications from epilepsy in 1940.

Related Topics:
South Bend - Indiana - 1916 - 1918 - Chicago - 1923 - 1924 - 1927 - Epilepsy - 1940

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