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Gay Poet Edward Field's Century of Bold Verse
7 Sep
Summary
- He died at 102 after a century of life in bohemian New York.
- His work celebrated everyday language and openly gay themes.
- A WWII encounter with poetry ignited his lifelong passion.
Edward Field, an acclaimed American poet whose work championed colloquial language and openly gay themes, passed away at 102. He died at his home in Manhattan's West Village.
Field's literary journey began unexpectedly at 18 when he discovered an anthology of poetry on a troop train during World War II. This encounter inspired him to pursue poetry, leading to 12 published books and significant accolades, including a Guggenheim Fellowship and the Prix de Rome.
His early life in Brooklyn and later Long Island exposed him to discrimination, influencing his writing. After serving as a navigator in the Army Air Corps during the war, Field returned to New York and immersed himself in the literary scene, eventually embracing his identity as a gay man in his published work.
Field's influential collection, 'Stand Up, Friend, With Me' (1963), marked a breakthrough, resonating with readers for its honesty and raw emotion. He also played a crucial role in preserving the legacy of writer Alfred Chester.
His enduring relationship with novelist Neil Derrick, whom he married in 2017, provided a stable foundation for his creative output. Field continued to write and publish into his nineties, remaining an anachronistic bohemian until his death.
