Ezra Pound was born on October 30, 1885 in Idaho. He was the only child of Isabel Weston and Homer Loomis Pound. Pound's early education was marked by his attendance at various Quaker schools. He later went on to study at the Cheltenham Military Academy, where he received military training in a Civil War-style uniform.
Pound began attending the University of Pennsylvania at the young age of fifteen. He quickly developed a passion for literature and poetry, and began to make a name for himself in the literary world. Pound's early works, such as "The Cantos", "Ripostes", and "Hugh Selwyn Mauberley", gained him recognition as a modernist poet.
In April of 1914, Pound married Dorothy Shakespear. The couple had a son named Omar. Pound also fathered a daughter, Mary, through an extramarital affair with Olga Rudge.
During World War II, Pound became an expatriate and moved to Italy. It was here that he became involved in controversial activities, ultimately leading to his arrest by the U.S. government for treason. Pound had aided the Axis Powers in Italy and was known for his support of fascist ideals.
In the mid-1940s, Pound was confined to St. Elizabeth's Mental Hospital for twelve years. During his time there, it was speculated that he may have suffered from schizophrenia and/or narcissistic personality disorder.
Despite his controversial actions and beliefs, Pound's literary work continued to inspire many modern poets, including Robert Frost. His impact on the world of poetry cannot be understated, and his legacy continues to be a topic of much debate and discussion.
Throughout his life, Ezra Pound was a complex and controversial figure. His contributions to modernist poetry are undeniable, but his political actions and beliefs have drawn criticism and condemnation. Pound's life story serves as a reminder of the complexities of art, politics, and personal ideology.
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