Donald Evans (American poet)
Encyclopedia
Donald Evans was an American poet, publisher, music critic and journalist.
. He married Leah Winslow in 1907, and later divorced her. A second marriage, to Esther Porter, began in 1918. Evans enlisted to fight in World War I
in May 1917. He served as a sergeant. Associated with the avant-garde scene of Greenwich Village
, his works relate a strong sense of irony as well as his own personal bohemianism
, coupled with the deep influence of 1890s aestheticism.
Somewhat comparable to fellow bohemian poet Maxwell Bodenheim
, many stories about his bohemian lifestyle circulated. Evans single-handedly founded and managed the Claire Marie press, intending to publish "New Books for Exotic Tastes". He stated its goals as thus, "Claire Marie believes there are in America seven hundred civilized people only. Claire Marie publishes books for civilized people only. Claire Marie's aim, it follows from the premises, is not even secondarily commercial." Evans was an early admirer of Gertrude Stein. He first published her Tender Buttons in 1914.
His works include 1914's Sonnets from the Patagonian, 1916's Two Deaths in the Bronx and 1919's Ironica. It is suspected that Evans' death in 1921 was a suicide.
Biography
Born in Philadelphia, he worked in newspapers from 1904 to 1915. Evans was educated at Haverford CollegeHaverford College
Haverford College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college located in Haverford, Pennsylvania, United States, a suburb of Philadelphia...
. He married Leah Winslow in 1907, and later divorced her. A second marriage, to Esther Porter, began in 1918. Evans enlisted to fight in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
in May 1917. He served as a sergeant. Associated with the avant-garde scene of Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village, , , , .in New York often simply called "the Village", is a largely residential neighborhood on the west side of Lower Manhattan in New York City. A large majority of the district is home to upper middle class families...
, his works relate a strong sense of irony as well as his own personal bohemianism
Bohemianism
Bohemianism is the practice of an unconventional lifestyle, often in the company of like-minded people, with few permanent ties, involving musical, artistic or literary pursuits...
, coupled with the deep influence of 1890s aestheticism.
Somewhat comparable to fellow bohemian poet Maxwell Bodenheim
Maxwell Bodenheim
Maxwell Bodenheim was an American poet and novelist who was known as the King of Greenwich Village Bohemians. His writing brought him international fame during the Jazz Age of the 1920s.-Biography:...
, many stories about his bohemian lifestyle circulated. Evans single-handedly founded and managed the Claire Marie press, intending to publish "New Books for Exotic Tastes". He stated its goals as thus, "Claire Marie believes there are in America seven hundred civilized people only. Claire Marie publishes books for civilized people only. Claire Marie's aim, it follows from the premises, is not even secondarily commercial." Evans was an early admirer of Gertrude Stein. He first published her Tender Buttons in 1914.
His works include 1914's Sonnets from the Patagonian, 1916's Two Deaths in the Bronx and 1919's Ironica. It is suspected that Evans' death in 1921 was a suicide.