Weldon Kees (1914-disappeared 1955) was an American poet, novelist, critic and playwright who had also worked across a spectrum of other media, including painting, jazz music and filmmaking. His poetry influenced and was influenced by fellow mid-century American poets such as John Berryman, Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell. Perhaps due to his failed marriage and subsequent drug abuse, Kees disappeared on July 19, 1955. His car was found abandoned near the Golden Gate Bridge. It is presumed that he either moved to Mexico and died in obscurity or committed suicide. His reputation was resuscitated in large part thanks to the American poet Donald Justice, who published his collected poems in 1959. Kees is now considered one of the premier American poets of the mid-20th century.
Weldon Kees (1914-disappeared 1955) was an American poet, novelist, critic and playwright who had also worked across a spectrum of other media, including painting, jazz music and filmmaking. His poetry influenced and was influenced by fellow mid-century American poets such as John Berryman, Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell. Perhaps due to his failed marriage and subsequent drug abuse, Kees disappeared on July 19, 1955. His car was found abandoned near the Golden Gate Bridge. It is presumed that he either moved to Mexico and died in obscurity or committed suicide. His reputation was resuscitated in large part thanks to the American poet Donald Justice, who published his collected poems in 1959. Kees is now considered one of the premier American poets of the mid-20th century.
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