Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892 – 1950) was an American poet, playwright, and feminist icon. Known for her lyrical style and bold themes, she became one of the most celebrated poets of the Roaring Twenties.
Born in Rockland, Maine, she was raised by her mother after her father abandoned the family. Encouraged to read classics, she developed a love for poetry early on. Her poem Renascence (1912) brought her national recognition, and wealthy patrons funded her education at Vassar College. After graduating in 1917, she moved to Greenwich Village, embracing its bohemian culture.
In 1923, she won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, becoming the first woman to do so. Her feminist themes and exploration of love, politics, and social justice made her a literary star. She was a vocal pacifist during World War I but later supported U.S. involvement in World War II.
Her later years were marred by illness and addiction, but her influence remained strong. She died in 1950 at her home in Austerlitz, New York, after a fall. Today, her poetry continues to inspire readers and feminist writers alike.