Humphries, Rolfe.

Rolfe Humphries (1894-1969) was an American poet, translator, teacher, critic, and editor. According to Richard Gillman, author of Poets, Poetics, and Politics: America's Literary Community Viewed from the Letters of Rolfe Humphries, 1910–1969, Humphries was "the total poet. . . . If ever there were poets who did in fact breathe their art, he was one of them."

From the guide to the Rolfe Humphries Papers, 1962-1963, (Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries)

Rolfe Humphries (1894-1969) was a noted poet and translator. He was author of Europa and other poems and sonnets and a translator of Virgil's Aeneid, Ovid's Metamorphoses, Juvenal's Satires, and other works. Humphries taught poety and creative writing workshops, including the Writer's Conference in the Rocky Mountains, held at the University of Colorado, and the University of New Hampshire Writers' Conference. Humphries taught English at Amherst College until his retirement in 1965.

From the description of Rolfe Humphries translation of The satires of Juvenal (MS 18), 1958. (Denver Public Library). WorldCat record id: 254533209

American poet and translator of classics, notably Virgil's AENEID and Ovid's THE ART OF LOVE. A native of Philadelphia, he attended both Stanford and Amherst, and later taught at both universities as well as others. His poems were published both as collected works and individually in many journals. He loved horse races and baseball. He was living in Woodside, California, when he died.

From the description of Rolfe Humphries papers, 1940-1970. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122500325

George Rolfe Humphries, noted poet, translator, teacher, critic and editor, was born in Philadelphia in 1894. He graduated from Amherst College in 1915 and then taught Latin in secondary schools in San Francisco, New York City and Long Island until 1957. In 1957 Humphries joined the faculty of Amherst College as a Lecturer in the English Department, and retired in 1965. In addition to his own works of poetry, Humphries is noted for his acclaimed translations of Virgil's Aeneid and other Latin works.

From the description of Humphries papers, 1896-1992 (bulk 1915-1969). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 49541429

Rolfe Humphries (1894-1969) was a noted poet and translator. He was author of Europa and Other Poems and Sonnets and a translator of Virgil's Aeneid, Ovid's Metamorphoses, Juvenal's Satires, and other works. Humphries taught poety and creative writing workshops, including the Writer's Conference in the Rocky Mountains, held at the University of Colorado and the University of New Hampshire Writers' Conference. Humphries taught English at Amherst College until his retirement in 1965.

From the guide to the Rolfe Humphries Translation of The Satires of Juvenal (MS 18), 1958, (University of Colorado at Boulder Libraries. Special Collections Dept.)

Humphries (1894-1969) was an American poet, translator and critic. Graduate of Amherst College, Class of 1915.

From the description of [Letter] 1940 Jan. 28, 35-34 77 Street, Jackson Heights, N.Y.C. [to] H. L. Seaver / Rolfe Humphries. (Smith College). WorldCat record id: 234302873

Poet, editor and educator. Full name: George Rolfe Humphries. Born 1894, died 1969.

From the description of Papers of Rolfe Humphries, 1934-1952. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 71132391

George Rolfe Humphries, noted poet, translator, teacher, critic and editor, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on November 20, 1894. He attended Towanda High School and entered Amherst College in 1911. He taught Latin in secondary schools in San Francisco, New York City and Long Island through 1957. In 1925 he married Helen Ward Spencer. He was a Guggenheim Fellow in creative writing, 1938-1939. In 1957 Humphries joined the faculty of Amherst College as a Lecturer in the English Department. He retired in 1965.

Humphries' lasting achievement was as a poet and translator. His works of original verse include Europa and Other Poems and Sonnets, 1929; Out of the Jewel, 1942; The Summer Landscape, 1945; Forbid Thy Ravens, 1947; The Wind of Time, 1949; Poems Collected and New, 1954; His translations include The Poet in New York, a translation of Garcia Lorca, 1940; Virgil's Aeneid, 1951; Ovid's Metamorphoses: Art of Love, 1953, 1955; Juvenal's Satires, 1959; Selected Epigrams of Martial, ca. 1963. W.H. Auden called Humphries' translation of Virgil's Aeneid "a service for which no public reward could be too great."

Humphries is also notable as a mentor to many young poets, including Theodore Roethke. Among his literary friendships were those with Louise Bogan, Edmund Wilson, and Roethke. He taught at many poetry and creative writing workshops, including the University of New Hampshire Writers' Conference and the Writers' Conference in the Rocky Mountains at the University of Colorado.

Rolfe Humphries died on April 22, 1969 in Redwood City, California.

From the guide to the Humphries Papers, 1896-1992, 1915-1969, (Amherst College Archives and Special Collections)

Biography

American poet and translator of classics, notably Virgil's AENEID and Ovid's THE ART OF LOVE. A native of Philadelphia, he attended both Stanford and Amherst, and later taught at both universities as well as others. His poems were published both as collected works and individually in many journals. He loved horse races and baseball. He was living in Woodside, California, when he died.

From the guide to the Rolfe Humphries Papers, 1940-1970, (Stanford University. Libraries. Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives.)