Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-09-22
LAWRENCE KNOWLES.
Death of One of the Most Promising
Poets Of America.

rTtutIIc Lawrence hllOWleS, tHt poet,
died Tuesday right at the residence OF
his father, SO brunswick street. ROX-
bury, from typhoid fever. He had been
ill only about three weeks and up to
last night was thought to be GONZALES
cent. The death of Mr.. Knowles comes
as Il shock TO mis- many friends in all
parts Of the country. He was of IL dis
tinctlv happy, optimistic, sunny nature
and had friends everywhere who es-
teemed him as much for his fine per-
sonal qualities as for his rare mental
gifts
Mr.. Knowles was born in Lawrence,
SEPT. s, 1869. and being the son OF a
Methodist preacher lived successfully
in Lowell, Lynn and Maiden.
He was educated at public schools,
and al Tilton Seminary in New Hamp-
shire, his father being the principal of
that academy. He was graduated from
Wesleyan University. Middletown.
Conn, in 1894. and from Harvard in
1886 He had taught school at Tilton,
been reader for Houghton. Miff1in &
Co, literary adviser for L. c. Page &
Co., and was ut the time of his death
literary adviser for Dana Estes & Co.
of verse. "On LIES Stairway" pub
lished in 1900, and Love Triumphant"
published one year ago. These verses
attracted more attention and won more
eulueicS than have fallen to the lot of
any other American poet in years.
1--WE venture To announce him as a
new American poet" said the late
Richard Henry Stoddard.
Il shall De surprised if he does not
make his mark hereafter as an .Ameri-
can poet Of the first rank" was Prof
e2sor ROlfes estimate
"NOt unworthy to continue the apoS-
tolic succession of the great poets of
an older day" wrote Lillian Whiting.
Quotations from Joaquin Miller. John
Burroughs, Richard Burton. Helen A.
Clarke and Louise Chandler MoultOn,
all in & similar vein. might be adduccd.
Frank Putnam paid this tribute to
him: Born Of 4 line of theologues and
adherents. Frederic Lawrence Knowles
was the spiritual child of Whitman and
of Emerson. He had fairly mastered
his instrument and was rapidly acqur-
ing wider vision. He was the laureate
OF New England in his last volume;
IL ~ ~ llN'u anu SItN II 'lllotHeT utcdue
he would certainly have become a COM
handing figure among American poets.
Because he was in deadly earnest with
his art. TO him it was sacred, as it |
must ever be TO genuine poets He
gave us many lyrics rich with Il wiStful |
beauty, others radiant with revolt, yet
others stecned In simple gladness. His |
name is added to the long and splendid |
roll of New England's sons. who will |
not readily be forgotten
OF Love Triumphant" review in |
the Transcript of Oct. 10 said: mo |
clearer, higher or more sustained note |
has been sounded in American litera-
ture for many day than that which |
runs through its pages. Love-the |
same in essence in whatever form it |
takes or phase in which it appears-the |
love of man for woman, of the mother |
for her child of the creature for the |
Creator. Of the patriot for his country, |
of the plying soul for the erring-the |
Universal and Divine love which abides |
forever and is triumphant over all |
things. this is the main and prevailing |
theme of the volume. But the single
ness Of the subject docs not imply mar
ToWieSS OF scope. Love taxes on 4
myriad of shapes. and the poet has had /
no difficulty in making each poem n
separate and independent expression of
feeling. Take. for example. this ex-
quisite lyric. which is entitled:
LOVES AWAKENING.
When Memory was a desert
And Lite Il dungeon wall.
When Hope became n harlOt
That lured me TO my fail.
" hen June had lost its old perfume
ANA Poetry Its glow
There flashed a sense Of wings and
bloom
Of Joys that stir and grow.
The thornS became a chaplet
Upon my bleeding brow
Night fled; the world was SUNRISE
q dearest. il WAS thou
Ny heart was lost to feeling.
could not WeeI nor smile,
hal no joy of music
Oh. I was weary while!
lived within n sodden trance
That knew not faith nor Tears
Ny soul was blind as sightleSs thanco.
A ghost that Knocked the years:
y hen 10. q gentle whisper
A kiss upon my brow.
The arms of love were round me-
o dearest; 1t was thou,