Larry Eigner
Larry Eigner was an influential American poet born on August 7, 1927, in Swampscott, Massachusetts. He lived with cerebral palsy due to a birth injury, which affected his mobility and speech throughout his life. Despite these challenges, Eigner showcased a remarkable work ethic, largely inspired by his mother, Bessie Eigner. His educational journey was unconventional; he was homeschooled and later took correspondence courses from the University of Chicago. Eigner's passion for poetry ignited in 1949 when he discovered readings by Cid Corman, leading to a long correspondence and his entry into the literary scene associated with the Black Mountain poets. His debut collection, "From the Sustaining Air," published in 1953, received critical acclaim, and he continued to publish numerous works throughout his career. Eigner was known for his sharp, crystalline imagery that captured the interplay between reality and ideas. He was also an active participant in the poetry community, engaging with younger poets and frequently giving readings. Eigner passed away on February 3, 1996, leaving behind a legacy as a respected figure in American poetry, celebrated for his unique voice and resilience.
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Larry Eigner
Poet
- Born: August 7, 1927
- Birthplace: Swampscott, Massachusetts
- Died: February 3, 1996
- Place of death: Berkeley, California
Biography
Poet Larry Eigner was born in Swampscott, Massachusetts, on August 7, 1927. As a result of a birth injury, he suffered from cerebral palsy all of his life and was unable to walk. His mother, Bessie Eigner, was influential in his life, and Eigner credited her for instilling a work ethic in him. He was educated at home, through the auspices of Swampscott High School. While in high school, he taught himself to type. Later, he took correspondence courses from the University of Chicago.
In 1949, he happened to hear poet Cid Corman reading the poems of William Butler Yeats on the radio. What followed was a long correspondence between the two men and Eigner’s growing interest in poetry. Corman founded the literary journal Origin and published many of the poets associated with the Black Mountain Review, published by the short-lived Black Mountain College. Poets who published in both journals included Charles Olson, Robert Duncan, Denise Levertov, and Robert Creeley. Eigner became a member of this circle, and in 1953, Creeley at Divers Press published his first collection of poetry, From the Sustaining Air. This book met with high critical praise, including admiration from the poet William Carlos Williams.
In 1960, Donald Allen included Eigner’s poetry in his important anthology, The New American Poetry, linking him to the Black Mountain Poets. Over the next years, Eigner published many books, including On My Eyes: Poems, edited by Denise Levertov; Another Time in Fragments; and Selected Poems. Critics note Eigner’s sharp, crystalline images that reflect the poet’s experience of the connection between reality and ideas.
Eigner also used a variety of media to introduce readers to his writing. In 1973, he was a subject of a documentary film, Getting It Together, that featured poetry readings by Allen Ginsberg. Eigner also appeared in a documentary about poetry made by Bob Holman for public television, and he frequently was interviewed on the radio.
When Eigner’s father died in 1978, the poet moved to Berkeley, California, where he lived with his brother. He engaged in active correspondence with many younger poets, some of whom made the trek to California to engage Eigner in discussion. Eigner often gave poetry readings in California. In 1983, his book Water/Places/a Time was a cowinner of the San Francisco State Poetry Award.
Eigner died of pneumonia on February 3, 1996. At that time, he had contracted with Green Integer publishers to bring out a new collection. This volume, edited by Eigner’s friend Robert Grenier, appeared in 2000 as Readiness/Enough/Depends/On. Although physically disabled, making it difficult for him to move or to be understood when he spoke, Eigner was a commanding presence in American poetry. Poets such as Levertov, Olson, and Williams all recognized his talent; younger poets found in him a mentor and champion.