Maxwell Anderson, one of the most influential American playwrights of the 20th century, was born in a small town in Pennsylvania in 1888. With his roots deeply entwined in literature and theater, Anderson’s journey from a poetic child to a celebrated dramatist illustrates a life devoted to artistry and moral expression. His works, spanning various genres and themes, continue to resonate due to their compelling blend of poetic finesse and social commentary.

Early Life and Education

Anderson entered the world on December 15, 1888, in Atlantic, Pennsylvania, as the son of William Lincoln Anderson, a Baptist lay minister, and Charlotta Perrimela Stephenson. The family’s frequent moves between Ohio and Pennsylvania parishes marked Anderson’s early years. By 1904, he had started high school, but his education was already well underway with a voracious reading habit that he maintained throughout his life. By the time he graduated from Jamestown High School in North Dakota in 1908, he had already discovered the works of literary giants like John Keats, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and William Shakespeare. This exposure to great poets inspired him to write poetry, a passion he pursued throughout his life.

College Years and Theatrical Beginnings

Anderson’s college years at the University of North Dakota were pivotal in shaping his future in poetry and drama. He became a charter member of a theatrical group facilitated by Professor Frederick H. Koch, engaged in editing the school yearbook, and authored the class play in 1911. These activities fueled his enthusiasm for the theater and laid the groundwork for his dream of crafting poetic drama for contemporary audiences.

Early Career and Move to New York

After marrying his college classmate, Margaret Haskett, Anderson embarked on a brief stint in the education sector as a teacher and high school principal. His journey included graduate studies in English at Stanford University, teaching roles, and copyediting positions at two newspapers in San Francisco. This period of professional exploration culminated in a significant opportunity from The New Republic, which offered him a position as a staff writer in New York City. From 1919 to 1922, Anderson immersed himself in writing poetry and essays while serving on the editorial teams of two newspapers. He co-founded and edited Measure, a poetry magazine that showcased some of the era's finest poets.

Breakthrough in Drama

In 1923, Anderson shifted his focus to drama, launching this new phase with his debut play, White Desert. This verse tragedy dealt with themes of hardship and jealousy in North Dakota and demonstrated his commitment to integrating verse into the American theater scene. Although it had a short run in New York, it marked his resolve to explore ideals' relevance in modern society. Anderson's subsequent play, What Price Glory?, co-written with Laurence Stallings, examined the disillusionment inherent in romantic notions of war. This critical and commercial triumph allowed him to establish a permanent residence in Rockland County, New York, dedicating himself to full-time writing.

Diverse Works and Social Critique

Anderson's plays are notable for their diversity in form and their incisive social critiques. His works such as Saturday’s Children, Gods of the Lightning, and Both Your Houses highlighted his talent for marrying strong characters with astute commentary on contemporary institutions, earning him the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1933. Despite these successes, Anderson argued for a more "exalted" theater in his essays, advocating for a dramatic experience that could elevate audiences through heightened emotions and language.

Verse Drama and Historical Themes

Captivated by the power of language, Anderson began crafting verse dramas in a flexible iambic pentameter that found a receptive audience...