WILLIAM ROSE BENET - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 03/29/1916 - HFSID 18351

WILLIAM ROSE BENET
In a signed, handwritten letter to fellow poet Orrick Johns, Benet praises a poem but suggests a change of wording (which Johns did not make).
Autograph Letter signed: "Wm Rose Benet", 1 page, 4¾x8¼. New York, N.Y., 1916 March 29. On letterhead of Editorial Department, The Century Magazine to Mr. Orrick Johns, Sappington, Missouri. In full: "Yes, I like it. Ask yourself this, if you have a copy of it, - would it not be better to say 'although' instead of 'though' in line seven? It is smoother so, to me - and also, if you come to that, more natural. I shall recommend this poem. Whether or not it will be accepted I can't tell. I shall be away from the office from Friday until April 11th. So, if you write in the meantime, better address the editors. Sincerely". WILLIAM ROSE BENET (1886-1950), the brother of poet Stephen Vincent Benet (1898-1943) and husband of poet Elinor Wylie (1885-1928), founded the "Saturday Review of Literature" (1924), editing it until his death. He was also an accomplished poet, winning the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry (1942) for "The Dust Which is God." Orrick JOHNS (d. 1946), who worked in the newspaper and advertising businesses, published several poems, a play, a novel and an autobiography. The poem discussed here by Benet was probably "The Door", Johns' best known poem. If so, Johns ignored Benet's advice, retaining "though" in line seven of the published verse. Slightly soiled. Otherwise, fine condition.