WILLIAM ROSE BENET - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 11/23/1938 - HFSID 273072

WILLIAM ROSE BENÉT
His handwritten, signed letter discusses literary critic Theodore Maynard: "I was amazed at what he said of me."
ALS: "Wm. Rose Benét", 1 page, 8½x11. New York City, 1938 November 23. On letterhead of "The Saturday Review of Literature" to "Dear Mr. Bruce". In full: "Thanks for Theodore Maynard's book. I was amazed at what he said of me. Sincerely". Handwritten postscript: "I suppose - 'leading in the void my luminous wings in vain.'" British-born poet, critic and biographer THEODORE MAYNARD (1890-1956) wrote 27 books on Catholic history and biography and published nine collections of his own poems as well as other literary works, including essays and an anthology of drinking songs. In 1938, Maynard, who had been a professor at the English Department at Georgetown from 1928-1933, published The World I Saw, which is probably the book mentioned in this letter. Maynard had also written Our Best Poets: English and American, published in 1922. WILLIAM ROSE BENÉT (1886-1950), the brother of poet Stephen Vincent Benét (1898-1943) and husband of poet and novelist 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." The work, an autobiographical novel in verse, is full of allusions to the literary and social history of early 20th century America. Lightly creased with folds, light vertical fold at the "W". Slightly nicked at upper and lower right edges. Slightly shaded at upper right edge. Receipt stamp at lower margin. Overall, fine condition.