Ridgely Torrence
Ridgely Torrence (1874-1950) was an American poet, playwright, and editor, recognized for his contributions to literature and African American theater. Born in Xenia, Ohio, he initially pursued higher education at Miami University and Princeton University before shifting his focus to a career in writing and journalism. After facing disillusionment in freelance journalism, Torrence worked as a librarian in New York City, where he began his literary journey.
His first poetry collection, "The House of a Hundred Lights," was published in 1900, followed by his second collection, "Hesperides," in 1925, which included his notable poem "The Bird and the Tree." Torrence's plays, notably collected in "Granny Maumee, The Rider of Dreams, Simon the Cyrenian," portrayed African American life with realism and were produced in New York City. He served as a poetry editor for influential publications, including The New Republic, from 1920 to 1933, and held teaching positions at Miami University and Antioch College.
Throughout his life, Torrence received several accolades, including an honorary doctorate, the Shelley Memorial Award, and recognition as Poet of the Year by the National Poetry Center. His legacy, while sometimes overshadowed by unrealized potential, underscores his impact on American poetry and theater, particularly within the context of African American representation. He passed away from lung cancer on December 25, 1950.
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Ridgely Torrence
Poet
- Born: November 27, 1874
- Birthplace: Xenia, Ohio
- Died: December 25, 1950
Biography
Ridgely Torrence was born November 27, 1874, in Xenia, Ohio, the son of David Torrence, a lumber dealer, and Mary Ridgely. From 1893 until 1895, he attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. In 1895, he transferred to Princeton University but left the next year because of illness. He relocated to New York City in order to pursue a career in freelance journalism and fiction writing. Disillusioned, he began earning his living as a librarian. He worked at the Astor Library from 1897 until 1901 and at the Lenox Library from 1901 until 1903
Torrence’s first volume of poetry, The House of a Hundred Lights, was published in 1900 in a limited edition of 750 copies. He began his editing career in 1903, serving as assistant editor of Critic, and he was fiction editor of Cosmopolitan from 1905 until 1907. His most significant editing position was as poetry editor of The New Republic, which he held from 1920 until 1933. Torrence also had a brief teaching career, working as a visiting professor at Miami University from 1920 until 1921 and serving as poet-in-residence at Antioch College in 1938.
After publishing his first volume of poetry, Torrence turned to drama. His most successful plays presented African Americans in a realistic manner. Produced in New York City, these plays were published in 1917 under the title Granny Maumee, The Rider of Dreams, Simon the Cyrenian: Plays for a Negro Theater. Torrence’s second volume of poetry, Hesperides, was published in 1925. This collection contains his most well-known poem, “The Bird and the Tree,” originally published in Poetry magazine in April, 1915. His final collection of poetry, Poems, published in 1941, contain poems previously published in Hesperides plus fourteen previously unpublished poems. He died from lung cancer on December 25, 1950.
In 1937, Torrence received an honorary doctorate from Miami University. In 1942, he won the Shelley Memorial Award and the National Poetry Center named him Poet of the Year. He earned a fellowship in 1947 from the Rockefeller Foundation and the Carnegie Corporation. Torrence is recognized for his contribution to African American theater. As a poet, he is most known for his unrealized potential rather than his achievements; however, he did earn success as a poetry editor.