Dudley Poore (September 6, 1893 – 1981) was an American poet, author, and translator. Among his most notable works is his English translation of Our Daily Bread (1943) by Ecuadorian author Enrique Gil Gilbert, which had received honorable mention in Farrar & Rinehart’s Latin-American Prize Novel Contest. Poore also translated The Bonfire (1944) by Brazilian writer Cecilio J. Carneiro, earning critical acclaim for his work. Beyond translation, he co-edited Fiesta in November: Stories from Latin America (1942) and North American Storytellers (1946), and his poetry was featured in Eight Harvard Poets (1917). The “Dudley Poore papers,” housed in the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University, offer a comprehensive view of his life and work, including correspondence, writings, photographs, and notebooks.
Early Life and Education
Dudley Poore was born on September 6, 1893, in Cedar Rapids, Linn County, Iowa, to Alvin B. and Mary L. Poore. Growing up in an environment that likely emphasized education and intellectual pursuits, he pursued higher education at Harvard University. While there, Poore became part of a close-knit literary circle known as the “Harvard Poets.” This group included notable figures such as E.E. Cummings, John Dos Passos, Robert Hillyer, Robert Stewart Mitchell, and Cuthbert Wright. Together, they contributed to Eight Harvard Poets (1917), a collection that highlighted their emerging literary talents and marked the early careers of writers who would later achieve prominence in 20th-century literature.
Military Service and Post-War Travels
During World War I, Poore served in the Army Ambulance Corps and worked with the American Red Cross. His war experiences deeply influenced his life and work. Alongside his close friend John Dos Passos, Poore witnessed the ravages of war, an experience that shaped his worldview and his literary endeavors. After the war, Poore and Dos Passos traveled extensively in Europe, including a sojourn in Spain in 1919. During this time, Poore illegally crossed into Spain by wading across the Bidassoa River and spent several months exploring the country.
Poore was one of several Harvard alumni who served as ambulance drivers during the war, a group often referred to as the “Harvard Poets.” This group—including John Dos Passos, Sydney Fairbanks, John Howard Lawson, and others—was stationed at Villa Ca’ Erizzo in Bassano del Grappa, Italy, during the conflict’s final year. Their shared wartime experiences and literary pursuits were later chronicled in the book Hemingway and the Harvard Poets, which highlights Poore’s involvement alongside figures such as Ernest Hemingway and Henry Serrano Villard.
Literary Career
Dudley Poore’s literary output spanned poetry, translation, and editorial work. His poetry, characterized by introspective themes and a keen awareness of beauty and transience, featured prominently in Eight Harvard Poets. His work reflected the intellectual and artistic currents of his Harvard circle while addressing broader themes of war, nature, and human experience.
In addition to poetry, Poore made significant contributions to literary translation and anthologies. He translated works such as Our Daily Bread (1943) by Enrique Gil Gilbert and The Bonfire (1944) by Cecilio J. Carneiro, introducing Spanish and Portuguese literature to English-speaking audiences. Poore also co-edited Fiesta in November: Stories from Latin America (1942) with Ángel Flores and Cuentistas norteamericanos (1946), both of which were supported by the U.S. State Department’s Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs. These anthologies were part of a cultural diplomacy effort to foster understanding and collaboration between the Americas.
Personal Life and Relationships
Poore was part of a vibrant literary and social network. His correspondence, preserved in the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University, reveals close ties to prominent figures such as Katherine Anne Porter, Dudley Fitts, Robert Finch, Arthur K. McComb, and John Peale Bishop. He also maintained a deep connection with his Harvard peers, including E.E. Cummings and John Dos Passos.
Poore’s personal life included relationships that reflected the complexities of his era and milieu. He was reportedly a one-time partner of Richard David Cowan, the longtime partner of Stewart Mitchell. This aspect of his life places Poore within the broader context of early 20th-century queer literary circles.
Legacy and Archival Collections
Dudley Poore’s papers are housed at the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University, under the collection Dudley Poore Papers (YCAL MSS 599). Spanning from the 1840s to 1975, the collection includes correspondence, diaries, notebooks, photographs, and drafts of his literary works. These materials offer invaluable insights into his creative process, personal life, and interactions with some of the most influential writers of the 20th century.
The significance of Poore’s contributions extends beyond his own writings. Through his translations and anthologies, he played a pivotal role in fostering cross-cultural literary exchange, particularly between North and South America.
Recognitions and Contributions to Culture
Though not as widely known as some of his contemporaries, Dudley Poore’s influence resonates through his affiliations and collaborations. His work helped bridge cultural and linguistic divides, bringing Latin American literature to a broader audience. His role as a translator and editor highlights the importance of literary diplomacy in shaping international understanding during the mid-20th century.
Conclusion
Dudley Poore’s life and career reflect the interconnectedness of art, history, and personal experience. As a poet, translator, and editor, he left behind a legacy that continues to be studied and appreciated in literary and historical contexts. His contributions to the Harvard Poets, his service during World War I, and his dedication to cross-cultural understanding ensure his place in the literary history of the 20th century.
References
- Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library. Guide to the Dudley Poore Papers. Retrieved on December 24, 2024. Click to view.
- Elisa Rolle. Dudley Poore. Retrieved on December 24, 2024. Click to view.
- Virginia Quarterly Review. On the Plain in Spain by Dudley Poore. Retrieved on December 24, 2024. Click to view.
- Internet Archive. Fiesta in November: Stories from Latin America. Retrieved on December 24, 2024. Click to view.
- ResearchGate. Organising a Latin-American anthology in translation under the auspices of the US State Department in the 1940s. Retrieved on December 24, 2024. Click to view.
- Museo Hemingway e della Grande Guerra. Hemingway and The Great War Museum. Retrieved on December 24, 2024. Click to view.
- Project MUSE. Hemingway and the Harvard Poets ed. by Luca Fondazione. Retrieved on December 24, 2024. Click to view.
- Find a Grave. Dudley Greene Poore. Retrieved on December 24, 2024. Click to view.
Image Source
- Find a Grave. Dudley Greene Poore. Photograph uploaded by Daniel Blake. Retrieved on December 24, 2024. Click to view.