Leonard Bacon (poet)

Leonard Bacon (August 26, 1887 – January 1, 1954) was an American poet, critic, translator, and professor. He was known for his satirical verse, his translations of classical literature, and his insightful essays on contemporary poetry and culture.

Born in Solvay, New York, Bacon graduated from Yale University in 1909. He served in the U.S. Army during World War I. Following his military service, he taught at the University of California, Berkeley, for many years.

Bacon’s poetry often explored themes of disillusionment, social commentary, and the complexities of the human condition. His work was marked by its wit, intellectual rigor, and a distinctive blend of classical allusions and modern sensibility.

He won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1941 for his collection, Sunderland Capture. His other notable works include Ulug Beg (1923), Animula Vagula (1926), The Legend of Quincibald (1931), and Poems (1933). He also published translations of works by Horace, Virgil, and other classical authors. His essays and reviews appeared in numerous literary journals.