Holmes, John, 1904-1962

American poet, who taught for many years at Tufts University.

John Albert Holmes Jr. received his Bachelor's degree from Tufts College in 1929. Throughout the following year attended graduate courses at Harvard while serving as an assistant in English at Tufts. Holmes began his teaching career at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, where he served as an Instructor of English during the years 1930-32. In 1934 he returned to Somerville and Tufts, joining the faculty of the Department of English, advancing to the rank full professorship in 1960. He was received an honorary doctorate by the University in 1962. Holmes achieved notable success as a poet and author during his lifetime. He published seven collections of poetry and his work appeared in numerous publications from literary journals to daily newspapers. Holmes wrote two books about the writing of poetry in addition to many essays and book reviews and he was an avid letter-writer. Holmes devoted considerable effort to fostering the development of young budding poets. He also taught poetry workshops at the Boston Center for Adult Education, and directed or participated in writers workshops at Tufts University, the University of New Hampshire at Durham, and the Chautauqua Writer's conference. Holmes also hosted an informal poetry circle among other Boston-area poets in the 1950s, a group which included May Sarton, Anne Sexton, and others who met regularly at Holmes' residence in Medford.