THE RECLUSE
Issued by W. Paul Cook, for His Own Amusement
at The Recluse Press, Box 215, Athol, Mass.
This being the First Number—1927
STUDY LIST
VERMONT POETS AND POETRY
Designed to facilitate the intelligent study of Vermont poetical development
and literature.
WALTER J. COATES, North Montpelier, Vt.
FIRST PERIOD: 1768—1812.
Covering the Revolutionary War epoch; the development of Vermont
as a separate Nation; and its first days under the Republic.
(References are to Hemenway’s “Vermont Historical Gazetteer” in 5 Vols.)
A: Colonial, or Pioneer Singers:
- 1: Thomas Rowley: 1721—1796.
- Official bard “Green Mountain Boys”; later known as “The Shoreham Bard”.
- Early life, Hebron, Conn.; pioneer, Danby., Vt. 1768; legislative activity; poetic improvisations; influence in western counties.
- (Hen. Gaz., Vol. 3, pg. 644–5; also Vol. 1, pg. 99).
- 2. Nathaniel Niles: 1741—1827.
- (a) Education; early career in Connecticut; as minister; as author of “The American Hero”.
- (b) Ethical, Literary and political career at West Fairlee, Vt.
- (Hem. Gaz., Vol. 2, pp. 907–12).
- 3: Josias Lyndon Arnold: 1765—1796.
- Education; early life; removal to St. Johnsbury; death and posthumous issue of “Poems”, 1797. The first published volume of Vermont Poetry.
- Hem. Gaz., Vol. 1, pg. 398).
- Education; early life; removal to St. Johnsbury; death and posthumous issue of “Poems”, 1797. The first published volume of Vermont Poetry.
- 4: Jabez Fitch: 1737—1812.
- His Manuscript Diary and his Book of Manuscript Poems.
- (Hem. Gaz., Vol. 2, pp. 783–96).
- His Manuscript Diary and his Book of Manuscript Poems.
B: Formative Writers—
- The “Golden Era of Vermont Song”.
Major Poets:
IRoyall Tyler: 1757—1826.
- 1. Early career in Massachusetts: 1757—90.
- His family; college training; early associates; military experiences; first literary achievements; mental crisis.
- 2: Ten years in Guilford: 1790—1800.
- Legal practice; literary activity; formation of a “school” of poets and prose writers; newspaper activity.
- 3: Later career in Brattleboro: 1800—1826.
- Legal and judicial achievements; social and literary work; last years.
- One of the “founders” of American literature.
- Unpublished manuscripts.
- LITERARY RESUME:
- (a) Comedy Dramas:
- “The Contrast,” 1789.
- “May Day in Town,” 1789.
- “The Georgia Spec, or Land in the Moon,” 1797.
- (a) Comedy Dramas:
