The Life of BYRON A. VAZAKAS
From 1936 through 1942, his poems and writings were published both locally and nationally in the American Poetry Journal. There is evidence to support the fact that he was also the author of a 16-page pamphlet, The Reading Public Museum and Art Gallery, Reading, Pennsylvania: Its History and Purpose, as well as a 1942 book The History of Reading Hospital. Bryon cultivated relationships with other poets, including William Carlos Williams, who believed he used an innovative stanzaic technique and helped him publish his poems. He also help a joint reading once with Tennessee Williams. In 1947, he was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for his book Transfigured Night, which he lost to Robert Lowell. After hearing Lowells win, he said, “He deserved it. But I did, too.” The following years he enjoyed success nationally and internationally, lecturing and reading at Harvard University and traveling abroad to England, Paris, and Majorca.
In the late 1960s, Bryon returned to Reading and earned himself the name, “the walking poet” for his habit of roaming through Reading, often the run-down areas, and writing about his reflections at the Reading Public Library. He published multiple books and works, and was honored as Readings unofficial poet laureate. In 1981, Albright College awarded him an honorary Doctor of Humanities.
Bryon passed away shortly before his 82nd birthday, in 1987. His brother erected his tombstone in Gethsamene with the simple inscription, Night Transfigured. His papers were willed to Albright College, where they are currently held in the Gingrich Librarys Special Collections.
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2016.03.07
Life History
From 1936 through 1942, his poems and writings were published both locally and nationally in the American Poetry Journal. There is evidence to support the fact that he was also the author of a 16-page pamphlet, The Reading Public Museum and Art Gallery, Reading, Pennsylvania: Its History and Purpose, as well as a 1942 book The History of Reading Hospital. Bryon cultivated relationships with other poets, including William Carlos Williams, who believed he used an innovative stanzaic technique and helped him publish his poems. He also help a joint reading once with Tennessee Williams. In 1947, he was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for his book Transfigured Night, which he lost to Robert Lowell. After hearing Lowells win, he said, “He deserved it. But I did, too.” The following years he enjoyed success nationally and internationally, lecturing and reading at Harvard University and traveling abroad to England, Paris, and Majorca.
In the late 1960s, Bryon returned to Reading and earned himself the name, “the walking poet” for his habit of roaming through Reading, often the run-down areas, and writing about his reflections at the Reading Public Library. He published multiple books and works, and was honored as Readings unofficial poet laureate. In 1981, Albright College awarded him an honorary Doctor of Humanities.
Bryon passed away shortly before his 82nd birthday, in 1987. His brother erected his tombstone in Gethsamene with the simple inscription, Night Transfigured. His papers were willed to Albright College, where they are currently held in the Gingrich Librarys Special Collections.