Taggart, John, 1942-....

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Poet, editor, and professor of English at Shippensburg State College; b. John Paul Taggart.

From the description of John Taggart papers, 1974-1975. (University of Connecticut). WorldCat record id: 28420710

American poet born in 1942 in Guthrie Center, Iowa. Received M.A. in English literature from the Univ. of Chicago in 1966 and Ph. D. in Humanities from Syracuse Univ. in 1974. Professor of literature and writing at Shippensburg State Univ. since 1972.

Published his first poetry in 1965. Also known as a commentator on contemporary American art and poetry. Was publisher and editor of the journal Maps during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

From the description of Papers, 1962-2000. (University of California, San Diego). WorldCat record id: 18929182

Biography

John Taggart was born in 1942 in Guthrie Center, Iowa. He graduated with honors in 1965 from Earlham College in Indiana, earning a B.A. in English Literature and Philosophy. In 1966 he received a M.A. in English Literature and Creative Writing from the University of Chicago, and in 1974 he completed a Ph.D. in the Humanities Interdisciplinary Studies Program at Syracuse University. His dissertation, titled "Intending a Solid Object: A Study in Objectivist Poetics," was one of the first extended discussions of the compositional strategies informing the work of poets Louis Zukofsky and George Oppen. Though the work has never been published as a monograph, revised sections of it have appeared in LOUIS ZUKOFSKY: MAN AND POET, edited by Carroll F. Terrell (National Poetry Foundation, 1979) and CREDENCES: JOURNAL OF TWENTIETH CENTURY POETRY AND POETICS (nos. 2-3 Fall/Winter, 1982).

Taggart's poetry first appeared in print in 1965, when three poems--"Upon the Sweeping Flood," "An Egyptian Cat," and an "Evening with Anna Akhmatova"--were published in CRUCIBLE. Since then Taggart's work has appeared in many little magazines and literary journals including THE NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW, THE PAINTED BRIDE QUARTERLY, IRONWOOD, BOUNDRY 2, SULFUR, and TEMBLOR. His work was featured in the 1969 summer issue of Cid Corman's ORIGIN, and the 1979 spring issue of PAPER AIR was given over entirely to Taggart's work. Besides Taggart's long poem "Peace on Earth," a "healing prayer" on the Vietnam War, the issue included commentary on Taggart's work by Toby Olson, Bruce Andrews, Jackson Mac Low, Paul Metcalf, and several others. Taggart's poetry has also been printed in several anthologies including THE GIST OF ORIGIN (Grossman, 1975), PUSHCART PRIZE ANTHOLOGY (Avon, 1980), NEW DIRECTIONS: AN INTERNATIONAL ANTHOLOGY OF PROSE AND POETRY (issues 24 and 41), and POETES AMERICANS D'AUJOURD'HUI (Delta, 1986).

In addition to numerous appearances in literary magazines and journals, Taggart has also published several collections of verse. TO CONSTRUCT A CLOCK and PRISM AND THE PINE TWIG (Elizabeth Press 1971 and 1977), Taggart's first and third books, are collections of short objectivist exercises in the manner of Zukofsky and Oppen. THE PYRAMID IS A PURE CRYSTAL (Elizabeth Press, 1974) and DODEKA, with an introduction by Robert Duncan (Membrane, 1979) reveal Taggart's development of a unique style which has attracted considerable favorable attention for its prosodic innovation and formal complexity. In each book, short, pithy objectivist-like images are inscribed inside of boxes and then "plaited" together at the end of each section. THE PYRAMID IS A PURE CRYSTAL is a meditation on a citation from the writings of Georges Vantongerloo, while DODEKA is a retelling of the Hippasus legend, an important character in Pythagorean lore and also the subject of Charles Olson's "The Praises." The formal foundation of both poems, however, is the medieval musical principle of "cantus firmus." In PEACE ON EARTH (Turtle Island, 1981) and DEHISCENCE (Membrane, 1983) Taggart decided to break with the "gem-like" solidity of DODEKA, opting for a much longer line composed of small, repeating syntactical units. While these poems still display Taggart's fascination with Zukofsky' proposal that music is the upper limit of speech, they also indicate his adaptation of etymological strategies discovered in the poetry of Erza Pound and Charles Olson.

Besides the attention given to his poetry, Taggart has earned a reputation as a judicious, though infrequent, commentator on contemporary American poetry.

In addition to seminal articles on Zukofsky, Oppen and objectivist poetics, Taggart has also reviewed the work of Wallace Stevens, William Bronk, Robert Duncan, Bruce Andrews, Theodore Enslin, and several other contemporary American poets. He was also the editor and publisher of MAPS, an acclaimed literary magazine appearing during the late 1960s and early 1970s, and, in 1978, edited an issue of TRUCK (1978) devoted to the work of Enslin.

Taggart has been a professor of literature and creative writing at Shippensburg State University since 1969. His work as writer and teacher has been awarded a Ford Foundation (1965), a Distinguished Academic Service Award from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and two National Endowments for the Arts Writing Fellowships (1976 and 1986).

From the guide to the John Taggart Papers, 1962-2002, (University of California, San Diego. Geisel Library. Mandeville Special Collections Library.)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Walter Sutton Papers, 1958-1992 Syracuse University. Library. Special Collections Research Center
referencedIn Flood Editions. Records, 1998-2007 Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library,
creatorOf Davenport, Guy. Papers of Guy Davenport [manuscript], 1948-1983. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Gordon Cairnie papers, 1922-1973. Houghton Library
referencedIn Susan Howe papers Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Conjunctions. Records I, 1981-1984. State Library of Ohio
creatorOf Hejinian, Lyn. Lyn Hejinian papers, 1973-1994. University of California, San Diego, UC San Diego Library; UCSD Library
referencedIn Ronald Johnson papers, 1954-1993 University of Kansas Kenneth Spencer Research Library Department of Special Collections
referencedIn Heller, Michael, 1937-. Michael Heller papers, circa 1960-2010. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn Enslin, Theodore. Theodore Enslin Papers. Fales Library & Special Collections
referencedIn George Oppen Papers, 1958-1984 University of California, San Diego. Geisel Library. Mandeville Special Collections Library.
creatorOf Oppen, George. George Oppen papers [microform], 1958-1984. University of California, San Diego, UC San Diego Library; UCSD Library
creatorOf Oppen, George. George Oppen papers, 1958-1984. University of California, San Diego, UC San Diego Library; UCSD Library
referencedIn Barone, Dennis. Papers, 1975-1991. Temple University Libraries, Paley Library
referencedIn Olson, Toby. Toby Olson papers, circa 1970-2005. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf Oppen, Mary, 1908-1990. Papers, 1913-1990. University of California, San Diego, UC San Diego Library; UCSD Library
creatorOf Taggart, John, 1942-. Correspondence with Singing Horse Press, 1977-1984. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
referencedIn Cid Corman Letters, 1950-1971 Syracuse University. Library. Special Collections Research Center
creatorOf Silliman, Ronald, 1946-. Ron Silliman papers, 1965-1988. University of California, San Diego, UC San Diego Library; UCSD Library
creatorOf Howe, Susan. Papers, 1942-2000. University of California, San Diego, UC San Diego Library; UCSD Library
referencedIn Ron Silliman Papers, 1965-1988 University of California, San Diego. Geisel Library. Mandeville Special Collections Library.
creatorOf Roland, Patricia D. Patricia D. Roland papers, 1995-2007. University of California, San Diego, UC San Diego Library; UCSD Library
creatorOf Taggart, John, 1942-. Papers, 1962-2000. University of California, San Diego, UC San Diego Library; UCSD Library
referencedIn Theodore Enslin Papers, ca. 1955-1975 Fales Library & Special Collections
creatorOf Taggart, John, 1942-. John Taggart papers, 1974-1975. University of Connecticut, Homer Babbidge Library
referencedIn Sun & Moon Press Archive, 1976-2002 University of California, San Diego. Geisel Library. Mandeville Special Collections Library.
creatorOf John Taggart Papers, 1962-2002 University of California, San Diego. Geisel Library. Mandeville Special Collections Library.
creatorOf Conjunctions. Records II, 1985-1987. State Library of Ohio
creatorOf John Taggart Papers, 1965-1974 Syracuse University. Library. Special Collections Research Center
referencedIn Mary Oppen Papers, 1913-1990 University of California, San Diego. Geisel Library. Mandeville Special Collections Library.
referencedIn Lyn Hejinian Papers, 1966-2004 University of California, San Diego. Geisel Library. Mandeville Special Collections Library.
referencedIn Eigner, Larry, 1927-1996. Larry Eigner papers, 1937-1995. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf Taggart, John, 1942-. Office files, of The American Poetry Review, 1982. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
referencedIn New Directions Publishing records Houghton Library
referencedIn Connor, P. E. (Patrick Edward), 1820-1891. Legal agreement, 1873 November 3. Harold B. Lee Library
referencedIn Susan Howe papers Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
correspondedWith Andrews, Bruce, 1948- person
correspondedWith Ashbery, John person
associatedWith Barone, Dennis. person
associatedWith Bayer, Herbert, 1900-1985 person
associatedWith Bernstein, Charles, 1950- person
correspondedWith Bertholf, Robert J. person
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associatedWith Blackburn, Sara person
associatedWith Blazek, Douglas, 1941- person
associatedWith Bly, Robert person
associatedWith Boer, Charles, 1939- person
correspondedWith Booth, Philip E. person
associatedWith Bowering, George, 1935- person
correspondedWith Bronk, William person
associatedWith Butterick, George F., person
associatedWith Byrd, Bobby person
correspondedWith Byrd, Bobby, 1942- person
correspondedWith Cairnie, Gordon. person
correspondedWith Carruth, Hayden, 1921- person
correspondedWith Char, René, 1907- person
associatedWith Coltrane, John, 1926-1967 person
associatedWith Conjunctions. person
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correspondedWith Corman, Cid person
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associatedWith Creeley, Robert, 1926-2005, person
correspondedWith Crumb, George person
correspondedWith Cuddihy, Michael person
correspondedWith Cunniff, Tom. person
correspondedWith Davenport, Guy person
associatedWith Davenport, Guy. person
associatedWith Davey, Frank, 1940- person
correspondedWith Davidson, Michael, 1944- person
correspondedWith Derrida, Jacques person
associatedWith Duncan, Robert Edward, 1919-1988 person
correspondedWith DuPlessis, Rachel Blau person
associatedWith Economou, George person
correspondedWith Edson, Russell person
associatedWith Eigner, Larry, 1927-1996. person
correspondedWith Elliott, George P., 1918-1980 person
associatedWith Enslin, Theodore, person
correspondedWith Eshleman, Clayton person
associatedWith Ferrán, Jaime person
associatedWith Ferrini, Vincent, 1913- person
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associatedWith Fowler, Gene, 1931- person
associatedWith Franks, David, 1948- person
associatedWith Fraser, Kathleen, 1935- person
correspondedWith Gass, William H., 1924- person
associatedWith George, Jon person
associatedWith Golden, Seán, 1948- person
correspondedWith Golding, Alan C., 1952- person
associatedWith Goodell, Larry, 1935- person
associatedWith Grande, Félix, 1937- person
correspondedWith Graves, Bradford person
associatedWith Graves, Bradford, person
associatedWith Guest, Barbara person
associatedWith Hall, Ted person
correspondedWith Hamady, Walter person
associatedWith Hejinian, Lyn. person
associatedWith Heller, Michael, 1937- person
correspondedWith Hickman, Leland person
correspondedWith Hocquard, Emmanuel person
associatedWith Hopper, Edward, 1882-1967. person
associatedWith Howe, Susan, person
associatedWith Howe, Susan, 1937- person
associatedWith Irby, Kenneth, 1936- person
associatedWith Jenkins, Donald person
correspondedWith Johnson, Ronald, 1935- person
correspondedWith Kenner, Hugh person
associatedWith Kimberley, Nick person
associatedWith Kostelanetz, Richard person
associatedWith Kyger, Joanne person
associatedWith La Belle, Christine person
correspondedWith Laughlin, James, 1914- person
correspondedWith Lazer, Hank person
associatedWith Lekakis, Michael, 1907- person
associatedWith Lenfest, David person
associatedWith Lewis, Harry, 1942- person
correspondedWith Mackey, Nathaniel, 1947- person
correspondedWith Mac Low, Jackson person
correspondedWith Marshal, Jack, 1936- person
associatedWith McNaughton, Duncan, 1942- person
associatedWith Mednick, Murray person
correspondedWith Metcalf, Paul C. person
associatedWith Metcalf, Paul C., person
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associatedWith Mills, Barriss person
correspondedWith Morrow, Bradford, 1951- person
associatedWith Mottram, Eric person
correspondedWith New Directions Publishing Corp. corporateBody
associatedWith Newlove, John, 1938- person
associatedWith Olson, Charles, 1910-1970 person
associatedWith Olson, Toby, person
correspondedWith Ong, Walter J. person
associatedWith Oppen, George. person
associatedWith Oppen, Mary, 1908-1990. person
associatedWith Ossman, David person
associatedWith Osterlund, Steven, 1943- person
correspondedWith Palmer, Michael, 1943- person
associatedWith Pearson, Norman Holmes, 1909-1975 person
correspondedWith Perchik, Simon person
correspondedWith Perloff, Marjorie person
associatedWith Phelps, Donald, 1929- person
associatedWith Quartermain, Peter person
associatedWith Quasha, George person
associatedWith Rackstraw, Richard, d. 1974 person
correspondedWith Rehm, Pam, 1967- person
associatedWith Roland, Patricia D. person
correspondedWith Rothenberg, Jerome, 1931- person
associatedWith Royet-Journoud, Claude person
associatedWith Schram, Irene, 1941- person
associatedWith Shippensburg State College corporateBody
associatedWith Silliman, Ronald, 1946- person
associatedWith Smith, David, 1906-1965 person
associatedWith Smith, Welton person
associatedWith Snyder, Gary person
associatedWith Sobin, Gustaf person
associatedWith Solomon, Stanley J. person
associatedWith Sorrentino, Gilbert person
correspondedWith Spanos, William person
correspondedWith Steiner, George, 1929- person
associatedWith Stevens, Wallace, 1879-1955. person
correspondedWith Sun & Moon Press corporateBody
correspondedWith Sutton, Walter person
associatedWith Sutton, Walter Archives. person
associatedWith Sward, Robert, 1933- person
associatedWith Tagliabue, John, 1923- person
correspondedWith Tarn, Nathaniel person
associatedWith Tomlinson, Charles, 1927- person
associatedWith Turnbull, Gael person
associatedWith Vas Dias, Robert person
correspondedWith Veinus, Abraham person
associatedWith Wakoski, Diane person
correspondedWith Waldrop, Keith person
correspondedWith Waldrop, Rosmarie person
correspondedWith Watson, Craig, 1950- person
associatedWith Weightman, John, 1915- person
associatedWith Weil, James L., person
correspondedWith Weinberger, Eliot person
associatedWith Weiner, Hannah person
correspondedWith Welish, Marjorie, 1944- person
correspondedWith West, Paul, 1930- person
associatedWith Williams, Jonathan, 1929- person
associatedWith Williams, Martin T. person
associatedWith Wilson, Keith, 1927- person
associatedWith Yaguchi, Yorifumi, 1932- person
correspondedWith Young, Karl person
associatedWith Young, Karl, person
associatedWith Zukofsky, Louis, 1904-1978. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Indiana
Goshen (Ind.)
Subject
American periodicals
American poetry
American poetry
Poets, American
Literature
Literature
Periodical editors
Poetry
Radicalism
Occupation
Poets, American
Editors
Periodical editors
Poets
Activity

Person

Birth 1942

Americans

English

Information

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