A. R. Ammons (1926–2001,) born Archibald Randolph Ammons, was an influential American poet known for his imaginative verse blending nature, science, and transcendental reflection.
Raised on a tobacco farm in Whiteville, North Carolina, his rural upbringing shaped his poetic vision. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, broadening his perspective and deepening his engagement with life’s mysteries. After the war, he studied at Wake Forest University and earned an M.A. in English from the University of California-Berkeley. In 1964, he joined Cornell University as Goldwin Smith Professor of English and Poet in Residence, mentoring emerging poets.
Ammons published nearly thirty poetry collections, acclaimed for their intellectual depth and lyrical beauty. Notable works include Corsons Inlet (1962,) a meditation on nature and time; Collected Poems (1973,) which cemented his status as a leading poet; and Garbage (1993,) winner of the National Book Award for Poetry. His writing is distinguished by expansive language, vivid imagery, and the fusion of scientific terminology with natural themes.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by A.R. Ammons
The quickest way to change the world is to like it the way it is.
—A.R. Ammons
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