Robert Frost Biography

The Robert Frost biography is filled with moments of great sorrow. Robert Frost was born in San Francisco, California in 1874, but he spent most of his life moving from place to place, often returning to New England, the place of his later childhood and early adult years. Frost is known for his compelling poetry and witty quotes, which sometimes seem at odds with a man who lived a difficult early life.

Early Years
Robert Frost was the first child born in his family, followed by a sister named Jeanie. Frost's early childhood was fraught with anxiety, since his father drank and gambled too much. Frost's father died from tuberculosis when Frost was 11, leaving his mother with no choice but to move back home with her parents in Lawrence, Massachusetts.

Frost's first published poem appeared in the Lawrence High School Bulletin in 1890. The poem was titled "La Noche Triste." While Frost qualified for entrance to Harvard College, he attended Dartmouth College instead, because it was less expensive and because his grandparents thought he would find success there. Frost dropped out of Dartmouth before his first year was over and began teaching elementary school.

Challenging Times
In 1894, Frost received his first payment for a piece of poetry, entitled, "My Butterfly: An Elegy." He worked as a reporter for the Daily American Paper and the Sentinal Paper while still teaching elementary school. Frost married his longtime sweetheart, Elinor White, in 1895. Robert and Elinor had their first child in 1896, a son they named Elliot.

In 1897 Frost pursued his education at Harvard College, but by 1899 he had dropped out again. His daughter, Lesley, was born in 1899, quickly followed by the death of Elliot in 1900. Everyone in Frost's family suffered greatly that year: Elinor from depression, Robert from multiple health issues, and Frost's mother from cancer. His mother passed away in November of 1900.

In 1901, Frost's grandfather died, leaving him a poultry farm in New Hampshire and an annuity. These assets made it possible for Frost to support his growing family. Robert and Elinor had more children, and Frost wrote prolifically and worked several different part-time jobs to make ends meet. He taught English literature, trained other teachers in teaching methods, revised school curriculums and taught education and psychology classes.

Success in Publishing
In 1912, Frost is able to write full time. In 1913, his first book, titled A Boy's Will, was published. The success of this book brought him in contact with many influential literary figures, including William Butler Yeats. Following this success, Frost published a number of literary works, including short stories, poems and a play. He made a living lecturing, writing and occasionally teaching.

Frost actively contributed to the literary community until his death in 1963, even traveling to the Soviet Union. Frost was highly regarded by the writing community; he was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for his poetry four times over the span of his career.