Patchen, Kenneth (Vol. 18) | Introduction
Patchen, Kenneth 1911–1972
Patchen was an American poet, novelist, and playwright. For many years he battled against a spinal illness which eventually claimed his life. Despite his affliction, Patchen published over forty books, produced countless drawings and paintings, and was a major innovator of the poetry-jazz reading movement. Patchen's prose and poetry lashes out at the destructive nature of humanity. However, there is optimism in his work, in his poems of love and in his poems declaring the strength and potential of youth. (See also CLC, Vols. 1, 2, and Contemporary Authors, Vols. 1-4, rev. ed.; obituary, Vols. 33-36, rev. ed.)
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