Samuel Foster Damon (February 12, 1893 – December 25, 1971) was an American academic, a specialist in William Blake, a critic and a poet. When remembered as a Blake scholar, he is often compared in importance to Northrop Frye and David V. Erdman.[1]
Early life
He was born in Newton, Massachusetts. He graduated from Harvard University in 1914, returning there after World War I as an instructor in the English Department. He was one of the Harvard Aesthetes, and married Louise Wheelwright, sister of John Brooks Wheelwright, another active Harvard Aesthete.[2]
Scholarly career
His book William Blake, His Philosophy and Symbols from 1924 was later followed by A Blake Dictionary (1965), the work for which he is perhaps best known. Their encyclopedic scope expanded Blake studies into the examination of the mystical and occult elements of Blake's work.[1]
His later academic career was at Brown University, where he had positions from 1927. His other writings include a biography of Amy Lowell, and the long poem The Moulton Tragedy, a heroic poem with lyrics (1971). He also published poetry under the pseudonym Samuel Nomad.
References
- ^ a b Bentley 19
- ^ "Wheelwright, John Brooks (1897-1940)". Brown University, Office of the Curator, Portrait Collection. 12 February 2021.
Works cited
- Gerald Eades Bentley, ed. (1975). William Blake: The Critical Heritage. Volume 60 of Critical heritage series. Psychology Press. ISBN 9780415134415.
External links
- His Biography
- Works by S. Foster Damon at Project Gutenberg
- Works by or about S. Foster Damon at Internet Archive
- Works by S. Foster Damon at LibriVox (public domain audiobooks)
