Robert Sage
Robert Sage was a notable figure in early 20th-century literary circles, born in 1899 in Detroit, Michigan. After graduating from the University of Michigan in 1922, he began his career at the Detroit Times but soon transitioned to a more prominent role in Paris with the Chicago Tribune, where he served as a literary reviewer and foreign correspondent. In 1927, he co-founded the influential literary magazine *Transition* alongside Eugene Jolas and Elliot Paul, which became a significant platform for experimental literature until its temporary suspension in 1930. Sage's contributions included reviews, short stories, and critical essays, where he examined America's hesitance to embrace experimental novels. Although he moved to London in 1929 and did not return to *Transition* upon its revival in 1932, he continued to write for various publications, including *Pagany* and *Modern Quarterly*. Sage also contributed to the *New York Herald*, where he held various editorial roles, including that of travel editor. His legacy is particularly tied to *Transition*, where his editorial efforts and literary insights helped shape contemporary thought on literature during that era.
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Robert Sage
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- Born: 1899
- Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan
- Died: October 27, 1962
- Place of death: Paris, France
Biography
Robert Sage was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1899.He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1922. He began to work for the Detroit Times newspaper after graduation, but left his job after a year. Sage moved to Paris and began his association with the European edition of the Chicago Tribune, where he was a literary reviewer, foreign correspondent, and rewrite man.
While in Paris, he met Eugene Jolas and Elliot Paul, who also worked for the newspaper. Together with Jolas and Paul, Sage founded a new literary magazine, Transition, which began publication in April 1927. From 1927 to 1929, he was an associate editor for the magazine, and then became a coeditor. The magazine was quite successful and became the leading literary journal for experimental literature. Eventually, Paul left the magazine because of the tension that developed between the cofounders. Jolas and Sage remained at Transition, and under their direction the magazine provided an outlet for new literary movements in the United States and Western Europe. For the first twenty issues, Sage contributed reviews, short stories, and essays. In one of his critical essays, Sage wrote about America’s refusal ro accept experimental novels, such as Conrad Aiken’s Blue Voyage. Sage’s association with the journal lasted until 1929, when he moved from Paris to London, and publication of the magazine temporarily ended with the June, 1930 issue. Jolas revived the magazine in 1932, but Sage did not return to his editorial duties.
In addition to his work with Transition, Sage also wrote essays and literary commentary for Pagany and Modern Quarterly. In 1923, Sage returned to the United States and began working for the New York Herald. By 1934, he had become a member of the newspaper’s editorial staff, but he left the newspaper later that year. Around 1945, Sage rejoined the New York Herald as a travel editor.
Sage is mostly remembered for his contributions to Transition. Most notably, he and Jolas edited Transition Stories: Twenty-Three Stories from Transition, published in 1929. He also was the editor for Symposium of Essays on James Joyce, and he edited and translated The Private Diaries of Stendhal, published in 1954.