THE SATIRES OF JUVENAL
Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1958. First Edition. Signed presentation from Humphries on the front endpaper: Mary Cooper’s book- all good wishes! Columbus. Oct. 24/58.” George Rolfe Humphries [1894-1969] was a poet, translator, and teacher. From 1957 to 1965, he taught at Amherst College and at many poetry and creative writing workshops, including the University of New Hampshire Writers' Conference and the University of Colorado Writers' Conference. A mentor to many poets, including Theodore Roethke, he counted among his literary friends Louise Bogan, Edmund Wilson, and Elizabeth Bishop. His work appeared in Harper's and The New Yorker,[ Humphries may be best remembered for a notorious literary prank. Asked to contribute a piece to Poetry in 1939, he penned 39 lines containing an acrostic. The first letters of each line spelled out the message: "Nicholas Murray Butler is a horses ass." The editor printed an apology and Humphries was banned from the publication. The ban was lifted in 1941. An uncommon translation, especially signed. 8vo., two-toned cloth in dust jacket; 186 pages. Item #57749
Very Good (covers nice; contents clean & tight); little minor rubbing d/j. A nice copy!
Price: $85.00