Lindsay, Vachel (Nicholas Vachel Lindsay) (vā`chəl lĭn`zē), 1879–1931, American poet, b. Springfield, Ill., studied at Hiram College, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the New York School of Art. Lindsay made tours selling his poems and drawings, living as a modern-day troubadour. He was particularly effective when reading his own poems. His poetry at its best is virile and strong. It has a fine spoken music, often enhanced by jazz rhythms. Volumes of his poetry include General William Booth Enters into Heaven (1913), The Congo (1914), The Chinese Nightingale (1917), and Collected Poems (1938). Lindsay was plagued by poverty and illness in his later years, and the quality of his poetry declined.

Bibliography

See his autobiographical Adventures While Preaching the Gospel of Beauty (1914) and A Handy Guide for Beggars (1916); his letters (ed. by A. J. Armstrong, 1940); biographies by E. L. Masters (1935, repr. 1969) and M. Harris (1975); studies by J. T. Flanagan, comp. (1970) and A. Massa (1970).

Lindsay, (Nicholas) Vachel

(born Nov. 10, 1879, Springfield, Ill., U.S.—died Dec. 5, 1931, Springfield) U.S. poet. In his youth, he began traveling the country reciting his poems in return for food and shelter, in an attempt to revive poetry as an oral art form of the common people. He first received widespread recognition for “General William Booth Enters into Heaven” (1913), about the founder of the Salvation Army. His works are full of powerful rhythms, vivid imagery, and bold rhymes and express an ardent patriotism, a passion for progressive democracy, and a romantic view of nature. His collections include Rhymes to Be Traded for Bread (1912), The Congo (1914), and The Chinese Nightingale (1917). He was responsible for discovering the work of Langston Hughes. Depressed and unstable in later years, he committed suicide by drinking poison.

Lindsay, (Nicholas) Vachel (1879–1931) poet, writer; born in Springfield, Ill. He studied at Hiram College, Ohio (1897–1900), prepared for the ministry, then studied art in Chicago (1901) and New York (1905). He traveled throughout the U.S.A. reciting his poetry to earn a living (1906–12); after the publication of his first major poem, "General William Booth Enters Into Heaven" (1913), he became an extremely popular lecturer and recitalist (1913–31). In works such as "The Congo" (1914), he employed rhythmic effects to capture the spirit of places and people that ordinary Americans could relate to. Despite his success he became severely depressed. He returned to Springfield and committed suicide.