Captivating Portrait of Poet Edna St. Vincent Millay

This photograph, taken on January 29, 1923, features Edna St. Vincent Millay, known also as Mrs. E. Boissevain. Millay was an influential American poet and playwright, celebrated for her emotional and lyrical poetry. She gained fame for her groundbreaking work that often addressed themes of love, feminism, and social issues. This image is a glimpse into her life during a pivotal time in American literature and culture in the early 20th century.

The photo is captured as a glass negative, a common photographic technique of the era that provided clearer details and depth than earlier methods. Millay’s literary prominence was cemented with her 1923 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, making her the first woman to receive this honor. The date of the photograph aligns closely with her rising fame, giving us a snapshot of an iconic figure whose influence can still be felt in contemporary literature today.