Bynner, Witter, 1881-1968

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Biography

Harold Witter Bynner was born on August 10, 1881 in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated from Harvard University in 1902, and before moving to Cornish, New Hampshire to live and write in 1915, worked as an editor at "McClure's Magazine." From 1918-1919, he taught English at the University of California, Berkeley, where he composed "Canticle of Praise." He was forced to leave after serving alcohol to freshman during Prohibition. After his stint at the university, Bynner traveled to China and studied Chinese literature. He subsequently produced many translations from Chinese. After his return from China, Bynner settled in Santa Fe, New Mexico where he became friends with D.H. Lawrence. Bynner and his partner Robert Hunt had numerous parties at their house, hosting many notable writers, actors and artists. On January 18, 1965, Bynner had a severe stroke. He never recovered, and required constant care until he died on June 1, 1968.

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Witter Bynner papers

Collection

Identifier: MS-89

MS-89

Date(s): 1897 to 1963

Abstract Harold Witter Bynner (1881-1968), poet, writer and scholar. The collection consists of correspondence with Harold Goddard Rugg, Corinna Smith, Alexander Laing, Mary Quinlan, Kenneth Ball and Edward Connery Lathem, as well as mss. of his translations of "The Yen Song of Kao Shih" and "The Jade Mountain," an introduction to a letter by Vachel Lindsay, his Harvard English papers and a long series of letters to Edmund and Helen Esquerre. Also includes an incomplete title and first-line index of...

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Type: Collection X