Harold Norse
Harold Norse was a prominent Beat generation poet and writer born in 1916 in Brooklyn, New York. He emerged from a challenging background, raised by an unwed Jewish mother who emigrated from Russia. Norse developed a passion for literature in high school, eventually attending Brooklyn College, where he became the first freshman to win the annual poetry contest. His significant relationship with fellow student Chester Kallman introduced him to influential figures like W. H. Auden, helping to shape his literary career.
Norse's first poetry collection, "The Undersea Mountain," was published in 1953 and garnered critical acclaim. He spent several years in Europe, particularly in Italy and France, where he mingled with other notable Beat writers in the Beat Hotel. His experiences during this period culminated in the publication of his novel "Beat Hotel" in 1975. Throughout his life, Norse was recognized for his contributions to literature, receiving fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Poetry Association. As a leading voice in gay liberation poetry, his work continues to resonate with a diverse audience today.
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Harold Norse
- Born: July 6, 1916
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York
- Died: June 8, 2009
- Place of death: San Francisco, California
Biography
Harold Norse, a twentieth century Beat generation writer, was born in 1916, in Brooklyn, New York, to an unwed Jewish mother who emigrated from Russia. Although little was known about his father, it is believed he was a German-American soldier. Norse developed an interest in literature during high school and began writing poetry. In the early 1930’s, he attended Brooklyn College, where he was the first freshman to win the school’s annual poetry contest.
In his senior year at Brooklyn College, Morse met Chester Kallman and they entered into a homosexual relationship. Through this relationship with Kallman, Norse was introduced to W. H. Auden, a famous poet of the time. With Auden’s encouragement and influence, Norse began publishing several poetic works in periodicals, including Harper’s Magazine, Beat Angels, and the Saturday Review. Through these works, Norse earned a place in literature as a leading gay liberation poet.
In 1938, Norse completed his education at Brooklyn College, earning a B.A. degree. In 1951, he returned to school and earned a M.F.A. degree from New York University. In 1953, Norse published his first book of poetry, The Undersea Mountain. This work received excellent reviews in The New York Times and Poetry magazine. After the publication of his first book, Norse began traveling throughout Europe, and he settled in Italy from 1954 to 1959. There he taught at the Lion School of English and translated the works of Giuseppe Gioachino Belli. Norse translated hundreds of Belli’s sonnets, some of which were published in the Hudson Review.
From 1960 to 1963, Norse relocated to Paris, France, where he lived in the Beat Hotel with other well-known Beat authors such as William Burroughs, Allen Ginsberg, and Gregory Corso. While in residence at the Beat Hotel, Norse wrote his controversial novel Beat Hotel, published in 1975. In 1968, after more than a decade of living and traveling throughout Europe, Norse returned to the United States and began teaching creative writing at California State University in San Jose. Norse continued writing throughout his later years. Well-known writers, including William Burroughs and William Carlos Williams, praised his poetry. Norse was awarded two National Endowments for the Arts fellowships and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Poetry Association.