e-shifter, truck-handler in a brickyard, turner apprentice in a
pottery, dishwasher in hotels, harvest hand in Kansas.

During the Spanish-American War served as private in Porto Rico.

Studied at Lombard College, Galesburg, 1898-1902, where he was captain
of the basket-ball team and editor-in-chief of the college paper.

After leaving college, earned his living in various ways--as advertising
manager for a department store, salesman, newspaperman, "safety first"
expert. Worked also as district organizer for the Social-Democratic party
of Wisconsin and was secretary to the mayor of Milwaukee, 1910-12.

In 1904 he had published a small pamphlet of poems, but his first real
appearance before the public was in _Poetry_, 1914. In the same year he
was awarded the Levinson prize for his "Chicago." In 1918 he shared with
Margaret Widdemer (q.v.) the prize of the Poetry Society of America; and
in 1921, shared this with Stephen Vincent Benet (q.v.).

Mr. Sandburg has a good voice and sings his poems to the accompaniment of
the guitar.

SUGGESTIONS FOR READING

1. In judging Mr. Sandburg's work, it is important to remember that his
theory involves complete freedom from conventions of all sorts--in
thinking, in metrical form, and in vocabulary. His aim seems to be to
reproduce the impressions that all phases of life make upon him.

2. Consider whether his early prairie environment had anything to do with
the large scale of his imagination, the appeal to him of enormous periods
of time, masses of men, and forces.

3. Do you find elements of universality in his exaggerated localisms? Do
they combine to form a definite philosophy?

4. What effect do the eccentricities and crudities of form have upon you?
Do you consider them an essential part of his poetic expression or
blemishes which he may one day overcome?

5. Do you find elements of greatness in Mr. Sandburg's work? Do you think
they are likely to outweigh his obvious defects?

6. Compare and contrast his democratic ideals with those of Lindsay.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Chicago Poems. 1916.
Cornhuskers. 1918.
The Chicago Race Riots. 1919.
Smoke and Steel. 1920.
Slabs of the Sunburnt West. 1922.
Rootabaga Stories. 1922. (Children's stories.)

STUDIES AND REVIEWS

Lowell.
Untermeyer.

Bookm. 47 ('18): 389 (Phelps); 52 ('21): 242, 285 (_for_ 385);
53 ('21) 389 (portrait); 54 ('21): 360.
Chapbook, 1-2, May, 1920: 15. (Fletcher.)