Irving Feldman, a poet deeply rooted in the principles of high modernism, preferred to let his works speak on his behalf rather than divulge personal details. His reticence about his life leaves much of his personal history shrouded in mystery. However, what is known paints a picture of a man whose upbringing and experiences profoundly influenced his art.

Early Life and Background

Born in a Jewish neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York, just before the Great Depression, Feldman was the child of Russian Jewish immigrants who had made their way to America two decades earlier. The family held steadfastly to their religious customs, finding solace and strength in these traditions. As disturbing events unfolded in Europe, particularly the rise of Nazism, Feldman followed the plight of European Jews with concern and anxiety, an interest that would later thread through his poetry.

Academic Pursuits

Feldman was an inquisitive and avid reader, traits that set him apart during his school years. Due to financial constraints, he enrolled at the City College of New York, where he earned a bachelor's degree in social sciences in 1950. Feldman then pursued further studies, obtaining a master's degree from Columbia University in 1953. During his time in New York, Feldman was enthralled by the vibrant bohemian culture, immersing himself in a milieu characterized by artistic rebellion and personal freedom, a stark contrast to the conventional world outside.

Teaching Career and Personal Life

Between 1954 and 1956, Feldman served as an instructor at the University of Puerto Rico in Rio Piedras, where he crossed paths with Carmen Alvarez del Olmo, an avant-garde sculptor who became his wife. In 1957, his academic journey took him to the Université de Lyon as a Fulbright fellow, before returning to the United States to join Kenyon College in Ohio. His career eventually led him to the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1964, where he was appointed a distinguished professor of English and served until his retirement in 1994. Feldman's tenure at Buffalo was marked by his spirited debates and high expectations from his students, particularly those he mentored in poetry.

Poetic Influence and Recognition

Feldman's career was defined by his commitment to poetry, often maintaining a lower profile despite his significant influence. He nurtured a wide network of connections within the poetry community of his era, yet he consciously chose to remain on the periphery. Despite being awarded a MacArthur grant, Feldman shunned the pursuit of fame. Public readings were sporadic, typically confined to the Buffalo campus, and he consistently declined interview requests, believing his poetry should be the primary focus. On his eightieth birthday, SUNY Buffalo honored him with a tribute website filled with accolades from former students, colleagues, and critics who admired both his moral insight and technical prowess in poetry.

A Legacy in Letters

Irving Feldman's legacy lies not only in his published works but also in the impact he had on a generation of poets who came through his classroom. His dedication to crafting poems that challenge, provoke, and resonate stands as a testament to his belief in the power of the written word. In celebrating Feldman's contributions, the accolades and testimonials testify to a career that transcended personal notoriety, focusing instead on the enduring significance of his poetic voice.