Howard Nemerov was born on February 29, 1920, in New York. He grew up in a family that valued education and the arts, with his father, Alexander Nemerov, being an art historian who taught at Stanford University. Nemerov attended Harvard University, where he began to develop his love for literature and poetry.
During World War II, Nemerov served in both the Royal Canadian Air Force and the U.S. Army Air Forces. His time in the war deeply impacted his writing, influencing the themes of loss, mortality, and the human experience that would pervade his poetry.
Nemerov's poetry career truly took off when he published his collection of poems titled "The Salt Garden" and "The Image of the Law." These works established him as a prominent voice in American poetry. He went on to publish many more collections, but it was his work in "The Collected Poems of Howard Nemerov" that catapulted him to literary fame. This collection earned him both the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry.
Nemerov's poetry was deeply influenced by the work of Dylan Thomas, reflecting a sense of melancholy and introspection. One of his most famous sonnets, "A Primer of the Daily Round," has been included in numerous literary anthologies and continues to inspire readers and writers alike.
Interestingly, Nemerov had a famous sister who was renowned in her own right – the photographer Diane Nemerov Arbus. Despite coming from a family of accomplished individuals, Nemerov carved out his own path in the world of poetry, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to be celebrated.
Howard Nemerov's contributions to American literature are vast and enduring. His exploration of the human condition, his mastery of language, and his ability to evoke deep emotions through his poetry have cemented his place as one of the most important voices of his generation.
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