Craig Raine

The sad fate of Edna St Vincent Millay – America’s once celebrated poet

Her diaries reveal how much she hated anthologies – and, after succumbing to drugs and alcohol, she soon ceased to appear in them

For most of her life, Edna St Vincent Millay was one of the most respected and popular poets in America. [Alamy]
  • Comments

  • Rapture and Melancholy: The Diaries of Edna St Vincent Millay

    Daniel Mark Epstein

    Yale, pp. 416, £25

Already a subscriber? Log in

This article is for subscribers only

Subscribe today to get 3 months' delivery of the magazine, as well as online and app access, for only £3.

There’s no commitment, you can cancel any time.

  • Weekly delivery of the magazine
  • Unlimited access to our website and app
  • Enjoy Spectator newsletters and podcasts
  • Explore our online archive, going back to 1828

Read next

Trending

Jason M. Brodsky

Israel’s attack on Iran was perfectly calibrated

Today, there have been reports of explosions in Isfahan, in central Iran, in what is presumed to be a strike by Israel. The world had been waiting for Israel’s promised retaliation after Iran launched an unprecedented attack at Israel directly from its own territory, using 300 missiles and drones. Despite the hysterical commentary that Israel

Because you read about alcoholism

Also by Craig Raine

Latest

Comments

A blooming good offer

Join the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting the next 3 months for £3.

Already a subscriber? Log in