National Poetry Foundation: Preserving Modernist and Post-Modernist Literature
Established in 1972, the National Poetry Foundation (NPF) has served as a cornerstone for the publication and study of scholarly work focusing on the evolution of modern poetry. Initially centered on the legacy of Ezra Pound, the foundation has expanded its scope over several decades to encompass a broader range of American and British modernist traditions, ensuring that critical analysis and poetic works remain accessible to scholars and enthusiasts alike.
Key Facts
- Founded in 1972 as a publisher of scholarly work on Ezra Pound.
- Publishes two primary scholarly journals: Paideuma and Sagetrieb.
- Produces the Man/Woman and Poet Series, focusing on critical and bibliographical studies.
- Has hosted numerous international conferences on influential poets from 1975 to 1996.
- Published the significant Language poets anthology, In the American Tree.
Scholarly Publications and Journals
The NPF maintains a rigorous commitment to academic excellence through its specialized journals. The foundation's first major venture was Paideuma: A Journal Devoted to Ezra Pound Scholarship, led by senior editors Hugh Kenner and Eva Hesse. As the academic landscape evolved, the journal broadened its horizons in 2002, updating its subtitle to "Studies in American and British Modernism."
In 1982, the foundation launched Sagetrieb, a journal initially dedicated to poets in the Imagist/Objectivist tradition—movements characterized by precise imagery and a focus on the "object" as the primary vehicle of meaning. By 2002, Sagetrieb shifted its focus to "Poetry and Poetics after Modernism," reflecting the transition into post-modern literary analysis.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Poetry Collections and Series
Beyond journals, the NPF has been an active publisher of poetry since 1978. It has brought the works of poets such as Kenneth Fearing, Thomas Parkinson, and Carl Rakosi to a wider audience. Notably, the foundation published In the American Tree, an influential anthology of Language poets (a group of poets who emphasize the materiality of language over traditional meaning), edited by Ron Silliman.
Additionally, the Man/Woman and Poet Series, which began in 1979, provides deep critical and bibliographical attention to a diverse array of British and American poets.
International Conferences and Academic Influence
The National Poetry Foundation has played a pivotal role in fostering global academic dialogue by hosting international conferences on modern poetry. These events have served as gathering points for the world's leading scholars to analyze the contributions of pivotal literary figures.
| Year | Conference Focus / Subject |
|---|---|
| 1975, 1980, 1985 | Ezra Pound |
| 1983 | William Carlos Williams |
| 1986 | H.D. |
| 1987 | Marianne Moore |
| 1988 | T.S. Eliot |
| 1990 | Pound and Yeats |
| 1993 | American Poets of the 1930s |
| 1996 | American Poets of the 1950s |
These conferences featured prominent intellectuals. Hugh Kenner was a consistent presence, speaking at every conference from 1975 through 1993. The 1996 conference featured a distinguished roster of speakers, including Marjorie Perloff, Jerome Rothenberg, Rachel Blau DuPlessis, Alicia Ostriker, M. L. Rosenthal, Albert Gelpi, Robert Von Hallberg, Charles Altieri, Armand Schwerner, Theodore Enslin, and Ed Dorn.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Frequently Asked Questions
When was the National Poetry Foundation established?
The National Poetry Foundation was established in 1972.
What are the two main journals published by the NPF?
The foundation publishes Paideuma and Sagetrieb.
Who edited the Language poets anthology published by the NPF?
The anthology In the American Tree was edited by Ron Silliman.
What is the focus of the Man/Woman and Poet Series?
Started in 1979, this series provides critical and bibliographical attention to British and American poets.
Which scholar spoke at all NPF conferences between 1975 and 1993?
Hugh Kenner was a featured speaker at all conferences during that period.