Conrad Aiken Pulitzer Marker
Born in Savannah on August 5, 1889, Conrad P. Aiken has been referred to commonly as one of the most neglected giants of 20th century American poetry. Over the course of his lifetime, Aiken earned a Pulitzer Prize in 1930 — becoming the first Georgia-born author to do so. Needless to say, the local community could not have been prouder of their local star. During his years of marriage to Mary Hoover, they would spend their summers in Massachusetts and their winters in Savannah. Conrad Aiken remained an active writer throughout the 1960s. In 1963, Conrad Aiken returned to his local roots and enjoyed the last years of his life amongst friends and family. Today, Savannah remembers his legacy and his cultural contributions with a historical marker along Oglethorpe Avenue.
Conrad Aiken the Poet
Conrad Aiken’s critically acclaimed work is an inspiring read for any poetry lover. Throughout his illustrious career, Aiken was honored with the Pulitzer Prize in 1930, later serving as U.S. Poet Laureate. His published works include poetry, short stories, novels, literary criticism, a play, and an autobiography. In 1969, the poet-critic Allen Tate called Conrad Aiken “the most versatile man of letters of the century: He has excelled in criticism, in fiction, and in poetry.”
