Robert Phillips (poet)
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Robert Schaeffer Phillips (1938 – January 21, 2022) was an American poet and professor of English at the
University of Houston The University of Houston (; ) is a Public university, public research university in Houston, Texas, United States. It was established in 1927 as Houston Junior College, a coeducational institution and one of multiple junior colleges formed in ...
. He was the author or editor of more than 30 volumes of poetry, fiction, poetry criticism and other works.


Early life and education

Phillips was born in
Milford, Delaware Milford is a city in Kent and Sussex counties in the U.S. state of Delaware. According to the 2020 census, the population of the city is 11,190 people and 4,356 households in the city. The Kent County portion of Milford is part of the Dover m ...
in 1938 to Thomas Allen Phillips and Katheryn Schaeffer Phillips. He attended schools within the
Milford School District Milford School District is the school district of Milford, Delaware, United States. It includes areas in Kent County and Sussex County, including all of Milford, Ellendale, Houston Houston ( ) is the List of cities in Texas by popu ...
. Phillips received B.A. (1960) and M.A. (1963) degrees double majoring in
journalism Journalism is the production and distribution of reports on the interaction of events, facts, ideas, and people that are the "news of the day" and that informs society to at least some degree of accuracy. The word, a noun, applies to the journ ...
and
English literature English literature is literature written in the English language from the English-speaking world. The English language has developed over more than 1,400 years. The earliest forms of English, a set of Anglo-Frisian languages, Anglo-Frisian d ...
from
Syracuse University Syracuse University (informally 'Cuse or SU) is a Private university, private research university in Syracuse, New York, United States. It was established in 1870 with roots in the Methodist Episcopal Church but has been nonsectarian since 1920 ...
.


Career

After graduation, Phillips remained at Syracuse, taking a position as an Assistant Director of Admissions, which Phillips called his least interesting job because the students kept asking the same questions. He also taught English. He found an advertising job with
Benton & Bowles Benton & Bowles (B&B) was a New York–based advertising agency founded by William Benton and Chester Bowles in 1929. One of the oldest agencies in the United States, and frequently one of the 10 largest, it merged with D'Arcy-MacManus Masius to ...
in
New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...
in the 1960s and liked it because it combined his interest in writing, art, writing.). He worked on accounts for
Revlon Revlon, Inc. is an American multinational company dealing in cosmetics, skin care, perfume, and personal care. The headquarters of Revlon was established in New York City on March 1, 1932, where it remains. Revlon was founded by brothers Charle ...
,
Clearasil Clearasil is an American brand of skin care and acne medication, whose products contain chiefly benzoyl peroxide, sulfur and resorcinol, triclosan, or salicylic acid as active ingredients. Clearasil has a wide range of products both for rapid and ...
, and
Ford Motor Company Ford Motor Company (commonly known as Ford) is an American multinational corporation, multinational automobile manufacturer headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, United States. It was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. T ...
. He was a copywriter and vice president with Benton & Bowles, J. Walter Thompson and
BBDO BBDO is a worldwide advertising agency network, with its headquarters in New York City. The agency originated in 1891 with the George Batten Company, and in 1928, through a merger with Barton, Durstine & Osborn (BDO), the agency became Batten, B ...
. He and his wife took a position in the Dusseldorf, Germany office of
Grey Global Group Grey Group is a global advertising and marketing agency with headquarters in New York City, and 432 offices in 96 countries, operating in 154 cities. It is organized into four geographical units: North America; Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asi ...
, where he had opportunities to travel to places like Paris and London. Eventually he returned to New York and worked at several other agencies. After work, he continued to write poetry and fiction. His first book, ''Inner Weather'' was published in 1966. He continued publishing while working in advertising, while teaching creative writing part time at the
New School The New School is a private research university in New York City. It was founded in 1919 as The New School for Social Research with an original mission dedicated to academic freedom and intellectual inquiry and a home for progressive thinkers ...
at nights. Eventually, he decided to teach full time. In 1991, Phillips became a member of the creative writing faculty at the
University of Houston The University of Houston (; ) is a Public university, public research university in Houston, Texas, United States. It was established in 1927 as Houston Junior College, a coeducational institution and one of multiple junior colleges formed in ...
, where he remained until his retirement in 2009. He later directed the Creative Writing Program there from 1991 to 1996). His predecessor was
Donald Barthelme Donald Barthelme Jr. (pronounced ''BAR-thəl-mee''; April 7, 1931 – July 23, 1989) was an American short story writer and novelist known for his playful, postmodernist style of short fiction. Barthelme also worked as a newspaper reporter for t ...
. Phillips served as the chairman of the
Poets' Prize The Poets' Prize is awarded annually for the best book of verse published by a living American poet two years prior to the award year. The $3000 annual prize is donated by a committee of about 20 American poets, who each nominate two books and who ...
and the Players's clubin New York City.


Honors and awards

Phillip's writings have received a
Pushcart Prize The Pushcart Prize is an American literary prize published by Pushcart Press that honors the best "poetry, short fiction, essays or literary whatnot" published in the small presses over the previous year. Magazine and small book press editors are ...
, an
American Academy of Arts and Letters The American Academy of Arts and Letters is a 300-member honor society whose goal is to "foster, assist, and sustain excellence" in American literature, Music of the United States, music, and Visual art of the United States, art. Its fixed number ...
Award in Literature, a
New York State Council on the Arts The New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) serves to foster and advance the arts, culture, and creativity throughout New York State, according to its website. The goal of the council is to allow all New Yorkers to benefit from the contribution ...
CAPS Grant in Poetry,
MacDowell Colony MacDowell is an artist's residency program in Peterborough, New Hampshire. The program was founded in 1907 by composer Edward MacDowell and his wife, pianist and philanthropist Marian MacDowell. Prior to July 2020, it was known as the MacDo ...
and
Yaddo Yaddo is an artists' community located on a estate in Saratoga Springs, New York. Its mission is "to nurture the creative process by providing an opportunity for artists to work without interruption in a supportive environment.". On March  ...
Fellowships, a
NPR National Public Radio (NPR) is an American public broadcasting organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., with its NPR West headquarters in Culver City, California. It serves as a national Radio syndication, syndicator to a network of more ...
Syndicated Fiction Project Award, Enron Teaching Excellence Award (1996), George Arents Pioneer Medal Award, Syracuse University's highest honor for alumni (1988), and
Texas Institute of Letters The Texas Institute of Letters is a non-profit Honor Society founded by William Harvey Vann in 1936 to celebrate Texas literature and to recognize distinctive literary achievement. The TIL’s elected membership consists of the state’s most resp ...
membership. In 1998 he was named a John and Rebecca Moores Scholar at
University of Houston The University of Houston (; ) is a Public university, public research university in Houston, Texas, United States. It was established in 1927 as Houston Junior College, a coeducational institution and one of multiple junior colleges formed in ...
.


Legacy

Starting in 2001, the Texas Review in coordination with
Sam Houston State University Sam Houston State University (Sam Houston, SHSU or Sam) is a public research university in Huntsville, Texas, United States. Founded in 1879, it is the third-oldest public college or university in Texas. It is one of the first normal schools wes ...
has offered an annual prize bearing Phillips' name for a distinguished poetry chapbook. Starting in 2019, the award includes a $500 advance and publication with
Texas A&M University Press Texas A&M University Press (also known informally as TAMU Press) is a scholarly publishing house associated with Texas A&M University. It was founded in 1974 and is located in College Station, Texas, in the United States. Overview The Texas A&M ...
. A collection of Phillips's work & personal papers, th
Robert S. Phillips Papers
is housed in the Special Collections Research Center of Bird Library at
Syracuse University Syracuse University (informally 'Cuse or SU) is a Private university, private research university in Syracuse, New York, United States. It was established in 1870 with roots in the Methodist Episcopal Church but has been nonsectarian since 1920 ...
. The collection contains his correspondence, writings, and memorabilia such as programs and announcements and issues of various periodicals in which Phillips’ work appears.


Personal life

Phillips married Judith Anne Bloomingdale, whom he met in English class at Syracuse. They would eventually marry in the
Hendricks Chapel Hendricks Chapel is a multi-faith religious, spiritual and cultural chapel located on the campus of Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York. It is located on the Shaw Quadrangle, and serves as the spiritual center of Syracuse University by hos ...
.


Books Published -- Poetry and Fiction

* Inner Weather (Golden Quill Press, 1966). * Moonstruck: An Anthology of Lunar Poetry. Anthology of Classic and 20th century poets. (Edited). (Vanguard Press, 1973). * The Land of Lost Content. Stories. (Vanguard Press, 1970) * Circumstances Beyond Our Control: Poems (Johns Hopkins: 2006) * The Pregnant Man (
Doubleday Doubleday may refer to: * Doubleday (surname), including a list of people with the name Publishing imprints * Doubleday (publisher), imprint of Knopf Doubleday, a subsidiary of Penguin Random House * Doubleday Canada, imprint of Penguin Random ...
, 1978) (''nominated for the Pulitzer Prize'') * Running on Empty (Doubleday, 1981) * Personal Accounts: New & Selected Poems 1966-1986 (Ontario Review Press, 1986). According to the preface, 1/3 of the poems are new. The earlier poems were selected from Inner Weather, Pregnant Man and Running on Empty. Some of these previously published poems have been revised since the earlier publication. * The Wounded Angel (Brighton Press) * Public Landing Revisited (Story Line Press) * Breakdown Lane (Johns Hopkins University Press, 1994) * Spinach Days (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2000) * News About People You Know. Collected Stories. (Texas Review Press, 2002) * Now & Then: New and Selected Poems. (Ashland Poetry Press, 2009). * Ice House Sketches. (Texas Review Press, 2011).


Books Published - Critical Studies, Nonfiction, Works Edited

* Confessional Poets. Literary criticism reviewing the genre—with leading practitioners such
Robert Lowell Robert Traill Spence Lowell IV (; March 1, 1917 – September 12, 1977) was an American poet. He was born into a Boston Brahmin family that could trace its origins back to the ''Mayflower''. His family, past and present, were important subjects ...
,
Anne Sexton Anne Sexton (born Anne Gray Harvey; November 9, 1928 – October 4, 1974) was an American poet known for her highly personal, confessional poetry, confessional verse. She won the Pulitzer Prize for poetry in 1967 for her book ''Live or Die (book ...
,
W. D. Snodgrass William De Witt Snodgrass (January 5, 1926 – January 13, 2009) was an American poet who also wrote under the pseudonym S. S. Gardons. He won the 1960 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. Life Snodgrass was born on January 5, 1926, in Beaver Falls, Penn ...
, and
John Berryman John Allyn McAlpin Berryman (born John Allyn Smith, Jr.; October 25, 1914 – January 7, 1972) was an American poet and scholar. He was a major figure in American poetry in the second half of the 20th century and is considered a key figure in th ...
, (
Southern Illinois University Press Southern Illinois University Press or SIU Press, founded in 1956, is a university press located in Carbondale, Illinois, owned and operated by Southern Illinois University. The press publishes approximately 50 titles annually, among its more th ...
, 1973). *
Denton Welch Maurice Denton Welch (29 March 1915 – 30 December 1948) was a British writer and painter, admired for his vivid prose and precise descriptions. Life Welch was born in Shanghai, China, to Arthur Joseph Welch, a wealthy British rubber merchant, ...
(Twayne's English Authors). Critical introduction. (Twayne Pub, 1974). * Aspects of Alice:
Lewis Carroll Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (27 January 1832 – 14 January 1898), better known by his pen name Lewis Carroll, was an English author, poet, mathematician, photographer and reluctant Anglicanism, Anglican deacon. His most notable works are ''Alice ...
's Dream Child as Seen Through the Critics' Looking-glasses. Collection of essays selected and introduced by Phillips. (Harmondsworth/
Penguin Books Penguin Books Limited is a Germany, German-owned English publishing, publishing house. It was co-founded in 1935 by Allen Lane with his brothers Richard and John, as a line of the publishers the Bodley Head, only becoming a separate company the ...
, 1974) *
Delmore Schwartz Delmore Schwartz (December 8, 1913 – July 11, 1966) was an American poet and short story writer. Early life Schwartz was born in 1913 in Brooklyn, New York, where he also grew up. His parents, Harry and Rose, both Romanian Jews, separated when ...
and
James Laughlin James Laughlin (October 30, 1914 – November 12, 1997) was an American poet and literary book publisher who founded New Directions Publishing. Early life He was born in Pittsburgh, the son of Henry Hughart and Marjory Rea Laughlin. Laughlin ...
: Selected Letters (Editor). (
W. W. Norton W. W. Norton & Company is an American publishing company based in New York City. Established in 1923, it has been owned wholly by its employees since the early 1960s. The company is known for its Norton Anthologies (particularly '' The Norton ...
: 1978). * William Goyen. Critical introduction. (Twayne Publishers, 1979). * The Stories of Denton Welch. (Dutton, 1986). * Shenandoah: And Other Verse Plays by Delmore Schwartz (Editor). (
BOA Editions BOA Editions, Ltd. is an American independent, non-profit literary publishing company located in Rochester, New York, founded in 1976 by the late poet, editor and translator, A. Poulin, Jr., and publishing poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. The pr ...
, 1991). * New Selected Poems of Marya Zaturenska (Editor) (
Syracuse University Press Syracuse University Press, founded in 1943, is a university press that is part of Syracuse University. It is a member of the Association of University Presses. Domestic distribution for the press is currently provided by the University of North ...
, 2001). * The Madness of Art (Syracuse University Press, 2003). Interviews with William Goyen,
Philip Larkin Philip Arthur Larkin (9 August 1922 – 2 December 1985) was an English poet, novelist, and librarian. His first book of poetry, '' The North Ship'', was published in 1945, followed by two novels, '' Jill'' (1946) and '' A Girl in Winter'' (194 ...
,
Joyce Carol Oates Joyce Carol Oates (born June 16, 1938) is an American writer. Oates published her first book in 1963, and has since published 58 novels, a number of plays and novellas, and many volumes of short stories, poetry, and nonfiction. Her novels ''Black ...
,
Karl Shapiro Karl Jay Shapiro (November 10, 1913 – May 14, 2000) was an American poet. He was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1945 for his collection ''V-Letter and Other Poems''. He was appointed the fifth Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to ...
,
William Jay Smith William Jay Smith (April 22, 1918 – August 18, 2015) was an American poet. He was appointed the nineteenth Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 1968 to 1970. Life William Jay Smith was born in Winnfield, Louisi ...
, Elizabeth Spencer,
William Styron William Clark Styron Jr. (June 11, 1925 – November 1, 2006) was an American novelist and essayist who won major literary awards for his work. Early life Styron was born in the Hilton Village historic district of Newport News, Virginia, the so ...
, and Marya Zaturenska. * William Goyen: Selected Letters from a Writer’s Life. (Editor). (University of Texas Press, 2014). * Coda: Last Poems of Karl Jay Shapiro, Edited. (Texas Review Press, 2008).


References


External links


U. Houston Faculty page


* ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxZoHXE01u0 Public Lecture at University of Houston-Victoria/American Book Review (video) Dated 11/15/2007 and uploaded to Youtube on 2019.
2000 Keynote Address at the Whiting Literary Awards
Phillips provides a light-hearted look at US poetry and how older writers have helped (and ought to help) newer ones {{DEFAULTSORT:Phillips, Robert 1938 births 2022 deaths Academics from Houston American male poets American academics of English literature American male non-fiction writers MacDowell Colony fellows People from Katonah, New York People from Milford, Delaware Syracuse University College of Arts and Sciences alumni Syracuse University faculty University of Houston faculty Writers from Texas