Witter Bynner (1881-1968) was a distinctive figure in the landscape of 20th Century American poetry. Although his name is not as widely recognized today as contemporaries like Robert Frost or Ezra Pound, Bynner played an important role in shaping the intellectual and artistic currents of his time. As an American poet, translator, and cultural ambassador, he moved between various literary circles and brought a refined sensibility to both his original poetry and his translations, especially from Chinese. This article explores Bynner’s life, works, and legacy within the context of 20th Century American poetry, highlighting his unique voice and comparing his influence with other poets of the same era.
Early Life and Education
Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1881, Harold Witter Bynner grew up in an educated and cultured environment. He attended Harvard University, where he became the editor of the Harvard Advocate, the university’s literary magazine. Harvard provided the young Bynner with access to influential intellectual circles and offered him a solid foundation in classical and modern literature. During this formative period, Bynner began cultivating a refined poetic voice and developing his interest in Asian culture and philosophy.
Literary Debut and the American Poetry Scene
Bynner published his first collection, An Ode to Harvard and Other Poems, in 1907. This early work received critical attention and established him as a promising new voice in American poetry. Over the next several decades, he continued to publish a steady stream of poetry, including collections such as Tiger (1913), Grenstone Poems (1917), and The Beloved Stranger (1919). His verse was marked by elegance, clarity, and a deep sense of lyricism.
Bynner emerged during a period of rapid transformation in American poetry. The early 20th century was a time of experimentation and redefinition. The influence of Modernism, with its emphasis on fragmentation, ambiguity, and stylistic innovation, was profound. Poets like T.S. Eliot and Ezra Pound broke away from traditional poetic forms and embraced new techniques. By contrast, Bynner retained a classical sensibility, often favoring structured forms and clear expression. He was not untouched by modernist trends, but his work often reflected a desire for order and balance rather than dislocation.
Involvement in Literary Circles
Bynner’s career was closely linked to several significant literary movements and figures. He was associated with the literary magazine The Seven Arts, which championed free expression and was a vehicle for new American poetry in the early 20th century. He also interacted with poets such as Carl Sandburg, Amy Lowell, and Edna St. Vincent Millay. While he did not fully align himself with any one group, his work was respected across various literary camps.
One of Bynner’s most famous literary contributions was his involvement in the “Spectra” hoax, a satirical response to some of the more extreme tendencies in experimental poetry. Along with fellow poet Arthur Davison Ficke, Bynner created a fictitious avant-garde movement known as “Spectrism.” Writing under the pseudonym “Emanuel Morgan,” Bynner composed deliberately obscure poems that mimicked the style of certain modernists. The hoax was eventually revealed but sparked important conversations about the boundaries of poetic expression and the direction of American poetry.
The Influence of Eastern Philosophy
One of the most enduring aspects of Bynner’s career was his engagement with Chinese literature and philosophy. His translation of the Tao Te Ching (titled The Way of Life According to Lao Tzu), produced in collaboration with Kiang Kang-hu, remains a landmark in the transmission of Eastern thought to Western audiences. The translation combined scholarly accuracy with poetic sensitivity, making it accessible and moving to English-speaking readers.
Bynner’s interest in Taoism deeply influenced his poetic worldview. He often sought harmony between humanity and nature, expressed a belief in the cyclical rhythms of life, and emphasized simplicity and inner peace. These themes are evident in his original poetry, which often carries a meditative tone and a contemplative spirit. In this regard, Bynner shares affinities with poets like Gary Snyder, though Snyder’s influence would emerge later in the century.
Santa Fe and the American Southwest
In the latter part of his life, Bynner settled in Santa Fe, New Mexico, which became a hub for artists, writers, and thinkers. The landscape of the American Southwest profoundly influenced his work. He became part of a vibrant intellectual community that included D.H. Lawrence, with whom he developed a complex friendship. Bynner’s home became a gathering place for literary minds, and his presence helped shape the cultural identity of the region.
In his Santa Fe years, Bynner continued to write and publish, producing works such as Take Away the Darkness (1947) and New Poems 1960. These later poems reflect a quieter, more introspective voice but retain the elegance and clarity of his earlier work. His commitment to poetry as a lifelong vocation is evident in the consistency of his output and the integrity of his style.
Comparison with Contemporary Poets
In comparing Witter Bynner to his contemporaries, it is clear that he occupied a unique place within American poetry. Unlike poets such as Wallace Stevens and Marianne Moore, who embraced complex linguistic play and intellectual abstraction, Bynner preferred emotional transparency and lyrical grace. While he did not share the confessional intensity of poets like Robert Lowell or the political urgency of Langston Hughes, Bynner’s work stands out for its balance, its calm wisdom, and its commitment to the aesthetic and philosophical dimensions of poetry.
Bynner also differed from poets like William Carlos Williams, who emphasized everyday language and American vernacular. Bynner’s diction was more elevated, his tone more contemplative. He was, in many ways, a poet of refinement in an age of disruption. This set him apart but also limited his popular appeal as the century progressed and poetic tastes changed.
Legacy and Reassessment
Although Bynner did not achieve the same level of fame as some of his peers, his contributions to American poetry are significant. He championed the role of poetry as a civilizing and elevating force. He worked tirelessly to bridge cultures through translation. His poems offer readers a respite from chaos and a path to deeper reflection.
Today, scholars and readers are revisiting Bynner’s work with renewed interest. His commitment to clarity, his cross-cultural engagement, and his enduring humanism make him an important figure in the study of 20th Century American poets. Institutions such as the Witter Bynner Foundation for Poetry, established after his death, continue to support emerging poets and honor his legacy.
Conclusion
Witter Bynner was a 20th Century American poet whose work exemplifies both the diversity and the depth of American poetry in a time of cultural change. While he may not have been at the forefront of modernist experimentation, his poetry offered a counterpoint of lyric beauty and philosophical insight. His role as a translator, cultural ambassador, and literary mentor expanded the horizons of American poetic expression. In the broader tapestry of 20th Century American poets, Bynner occupies a quiet but essential place—a voice of balance, clarity, and contemplative grace.
