Arthur Davison Ficke

Arthur Davison Ficke
Born
Arthur Davison Ficke

November 10, 1883
Davenport, Iowa, US
DiedNovember 30, 1945(1945-11-30) (aged 62)
Hudson, New York, US
Other namesAnne Knish
Alma materHarvard
OccupationPoet
Known forSonnets of a Portrait Painter; Spectra
Spouses
  • Evelyn B Blunt
  • Gladys Brown
Children1

Arthur Davison Ficke (November 10, 1883 – November 30, 1945) was an American poet, playwright, and expert of Japanese art. Ficke had a national reputation as "a poet's poet", and "one of America's most expert sonneteers". Under the alias Anne Knish, Ficke co-authored Spectra (1916). Intended as a spoof of the experimental verse which was fashionable at the time, the collection of strange poems unexpectedly caused a sensation among modernist critics which eclipsed Ficke's recognition as a traditional prose stylist. Ficke is also known for his relationship with poet Edna St. Vincent Millay.

After a lengthy battle with throat cancer, Arthur died from his illness on November 30, 1945.