Tess and Brock put the spotlight on Edna St. Vincent Millay, the 20th century poet and feminist icon. Millay was notorious for her active “social life” among the NYC art scene during the height of the roaring ‘20s, but Tess and Brock focus on her prolific writing. Poet Gillian Obsorne has admired Millay for her eloquent expression of feminine angst since she first read Millay as a teenager. And as an educator, she sees how it still speaks to young women today.

Whether it’s because of her compelling success story or her well-served, cold disses, Millay is an author who’s easy to fall in love with.

Mentioned:

• “The Ballad of the Harp-weaver and Other Poems” by Edna St Vincent Millay
• “Childhood is the Kingdom Where Nobody Dies” by Edna St Vincent Millay
• “Sonnet IV” by Edna St Vincent Millay
• “Renascence” by Edna St Vincent Millay
• The Wasteland by T.S. Elliot
• Green Green Green by Gillian Obsorne

The house:

• Millay House Rockland

Tess Chakkalakal is the creator, executive producer and host of Dead Writers. Brock Clarke is our writer and co-host.

Lisa Bartfai is the managing producer and executive editor. Our music is composed by Cedric Wilson, who also mixes the show. Ella Jones is our web editorial intern, and Mark Hoffman created our logo. A special thanks to our reader Ella Jones.

This episode was produced with the generous support of our sponsors Bath Savings and listeners like you.