Robert Frost and Amherst College

Robert Frost began his longstanding relationship with Amherst College as a guest lecturer on April 8, 1916 and from 1917 to 1920 became a full-time Professor of English. He taught classes in Advanced Composition, American Authors, and American Literature-19th Century Poets. On May 2, 1918, Amherst College awarded Frost an honorary Master of Art degree. This was the first of many honorary degrees he would receive from a college or university.

He left Amherst College for a brief time but didn't stay away long. He was back in November of 1923 as a Professor of English, this time teaching Readings in English Literature, Poetry, Drama, Essay, Short Story, and Advanced Writing. In 1924, Frost won his first of four Pulitzer Prizes for his New Hampshire: A Poem with Notes and Grace Notes.

In September 1925, Frost again left Amherst College for a year long Fellowship but returned in 1926, first as a John Woodruff Simpson lecturer and then as a Professor of Englishon the John Woodruff Simpson Foundation endowment. He held informal classes and readings and worked one-on-one with students and teachers. He remained at Amherst College until June of 1938. It was during this timeframe that Frost won his second and third Pulitzer Prizes, in 1931 for his Collected Poems and in 1937 for A Further Range. It was also during this time, March 1938 that his beloved wife Elinor died of heart failure. A memorial service was held for her on the Amherst College campus, in Johnson Chapel.

In 1943 Frost won his fourth Pulitzer Prize for A Witness Tree, and in June 1948 was awarded an honorary Litt. D. by Amherst College for his outstanding body of published work.

Frost returned to Amherst College again in October of 1949 to a position as a Simpson Lecturer in Literature. He spent several weeks in Amherst each fall and spring meeting with students and faculty and holding public readings on campus. He would hold this position until his death in 1963.

On March 26, 1954, Robert Frost celebrated his 80^th birthday at Amherst College and in September 1962, Amherst publicly declared that its new library be named after Robert Frost. It was also on October 20, 1962 that Robert Frost made his last public appearance at Amherst College performing his readings at Parent's Day.

Robert Frost was a member of the Amherst College faculty for over 40 years. He was highly revered by his students for his advanced teaching methods. Despite the teaching invitations from other universities, Amherst College had a special place in his heart.

Sadly, Robert Lee Frost died from an embolism on January 29, 1963 at the age of 88. A public service was held for him at Johnson Chapel, Amherst College. In Robert Frost's own words, "In three words I can sum up everything I've learned in life - It goes on."