Carl Sandburg was born on January 6, 1878 in Galesburg, Illinois. He was the son of Swedish immigrants, August Sandburg and Clara Anderson. Sandburg's father worked as a blacksmith and his mother worked as a maid. Sandburg's family struggled financially, and he was forced to leave school at the age of thirteen to help support his family.
After leaving school, Sandburg held a number of odd jobs, including working as a milkman and a bricklayer. In 1898, he joined the United States Army and served during the Spanish-American War. After his military service, Sandburg attended Lombard College in Galesburg, where he began to develop his love for writing and poetry.
In 1907, Sandburg moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and joined the Socialist Party of America. He became a prominent member of the party and used his writing to support socialist causes. Sandburg's early poetry often focused on social issues, including labor rights and class inequality.
In 1908, Sandburg married Lilian Steichen, the sister of photographer Edward Steichen. The couple eventually had three daughters together. In 1919, the family moved to a small farm in Flat Rock, North Carolina, which they named Connemara. Sandburg found inspiration in the peaceful surroundings of Connemara and continued to write poetry and prose about the natural world.
Sandburg's writing career flourished in the 1920s and 1930s. He published his most famous works during this time, including "Rootabaga Stories," "The War Years," and "Cornhuskers." Many of Sandburg's poems were inspired by his experiences in the city of Chicago, where he lived for several years.
Throughout his career, Sandburg was recognized with numerous awards for his writing. He was a three-time recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for Literature, winning in 1940 for his biography of Abraham Lincoln, "The War Years," and for his poetry collection "Cornhuskers." Sandburg's work was praised for its simple and accessible language, as well as its celebration of American life.
In his later years, Sandburg focused on writing biographies and historical works. He continued to live at Connemara until his death in 1967 at the age of 89. Carl Sandburg's legacy as a poet, author, and social activist continues to inspire readers and writers today.
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