Thomas Hornsby Ferril
Thomas Hornsby Ferril was an influential American poet born on February 25, 1896, in Denver, Colorado. He began writing poetry as a child and published his first poem at the age of ten. Ferril pursued higher education at Colorado College, earning his A.B. in 1918, and later married Helen Drury Ray, with whom he had one daughter. He became known for his vibrant literary gatherings at his family home, which attracted prominent figures such as poets Robert Frost and Carl Sandburg.
Ferril's career spanned journalism and public relations, during which he worked for several newspapers and the Great Western Sugar Company. He gained recognition for his poetry, winning numerous awards including the Yale Younger Poet's award and the Robert Frost Award. His works often reflect the theme of revealing divinity in nature through careful observation, a concept he elaborated on in his essay "Rocky Mountain Metaphysics."
In acknowledgment of his contributions to literature, Ferril was named Colorado's centennial-bicentennial poet in 1975 and the state's poet laureate in 1979. His poetry has been commemorated in various locations, including the Colorado State Capitol, where excerpts are inscribed in stone. Ferril's legacy continues to be celebrated, with his home designated a historic landmark in 1973.
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Thomas Hornsby Ferril
Playwright
- Born: February 25, 1896
- Birthplace: Denver, Colorado
- Died: October 27, 1988
- Place of death: Denver, Colorado
Biography
Thomas Hornsby Ferril was born on February 25, 1896, in Denver, Colorado, to Will C. and Alice Lawton MacHarg Ferril. His father, a journalist, purchased The Rocky Mountain Herald in 1912, and published it out of the family home. The influence on his son was evident. Ferril began writing verse as a youngster and published his first poem, “A Mountain Thought,” at age ten.
He attended Colorado College and received his A.B. in 1918. Three years later, he married Helen Drury Ray; they had one child, Anne. The second story of the Ferril family home was made into their apartment and they lived in the house throughout their lives. As Ferrril’s reputation as a poet grew, the Ferril house, which has since been designated a historic landmark, became a meeting place for nationally prominent writers and artists. The Ferrils were known for their lively dinner parties, entertaining a circle of friends that included the poets Robert Frost and Carl Sandburg.
Ferril worked as reporter and drama critic for both the Denver Times and The Rocky Mountain News from 1919 to 1921. He went into motion picture advertising from 1921 to 1926, when he joined the Great Western Sugar Company as editor of its public relations publications, Through the Leaves and Sugar Press. Upon the death of his father in 1939, Ferril and his wife took over The Rocky Mountain Herald. The couple published the weekly newspaper together until 1972.
In his seminal essay “Rocky Mountain Metaphysics,” Ferril proposes that scientific reasoning is the New World faith that provides knowledge and wisdom about nature. The purpose of the poet, he argues, is to reveal the divinity in nature by accurate observation and portrayal. These ideas find poetic expression throughout Ferril’s work and won him much praise. Ferril’s first volume of poetry High Passage won Yale University’s Younger Poet’s award in 1926. He was the recipient of the Nation poetry prize in 1927; the Oscar Blumenthal prize from Poetry magazine in 1937; a prize from the Academy of American Poets in 1939; first prize from the Denver Post and Central City Opera House for his verse play, . . . And Perhaps Happiness, in 1958; the Robert Frost Award from the Poetry Society of America in 1960; and the Ridgely Torrence Award in 1963. Other awards for poetry include the Mitchell Kennerly Award, Forum Award, Borestone Mountain awards, and Colorado Authors League awards.
Ferril held honorary degrees from the University of Colorado at Boulder, the University of Denver, and Colorado College. He was named Colorado’s centennial-bicentennial poet in 1975 and Colorado’s poet laureate in 1979. His poetry is printed in stone beside the murals in the rotunda of the Colorado State Capitol building. In 1976, a bronze plaque, inscribed with Ferril’s poem “Two Rivers,” was dedicated at the junction of Platte River and the Cherry Creek origin point of the city of Denver. His manuscript collection is housed in the Denver Public Library. The Denver City Council designated Ferril’s home a landmark for preservation in 1973 in recognition of his strong regional ties.