Poetry:

1. “Poems about God” (1919): Ransom’s early collection of poems, which reflects his exploration of religious and philosophical themes. The poems exhibit formal precision and intellectual depth.
2. “Chills and Fever” (1924): Another poetry collection that showcases Ransom’s early mastery of traditional forms and his engagement with a variety of themes.
3. “Selected Poems” (1945): This collection, considered one of Ransom’s major works, brings together some of his best-known poems, including “Bells for John Whiteside’s Daughter” and “Captain Carpenter.” It represents the culmination of his poetic achievements.
4. “Two Gentlemen in Bonds” (1964): A later collection of poems that reflects Ransom’s continued exploration of language and meaning. These poems often exhibit his characteristic wit and intellectual acuity.
5. “Selected Poems” (1969): Another selected poems collection that provides readers with a comprehensive overview of Ransom’s poetic career, including works from different periods.

Essays and Critical Works:

6. “God Without Thunder: An Unorthodox Defense of Orthodoxy” (1930): A collection of essays in which Ransom engages with theological and philosophical questions. It showcases his ability to intertwine intellectual inquiry with literary analysis.
7. “The World’s Body” (1938): A collection of critical essays that explores a range of literary and cultural topics. Ransom’s essays in this collection contribute to the development of New Criticism.
8. “The New Criticism” (1941): Co-authored with Cleanth Brooks, this seminal work outlines the principles of New Criticism. It emphasizes close reading of texts and rejects extraneous considerations in favor of analyzing the internal workings of literary works.
9. “Criticism, Inc.” (1937): An influential essay in which Ransom articulates key ideas of New Criticism, advocating for a focus on the text’s intrinsic qualities and resisting the imposition of external factors.
10. “The Fugitive: A Journal of Poetry” (1922-1925): Ransom was a founding editor of this influential literary magazine that played a crucial role in the development of the Southern Agrarian movement.
11. “I’ll Take My Stand: The South and the Agrarian Tradition” (1930): Ransom contributed an essay to this collection, which served as a manifesto for the Southern Agrarian movement. His essay discusses the importance of agrarian values in the face of industrialization.

Death:

John Crowe Ransom passed away on July 3, 1974, at the age of 86. His death marked the conclusion of a rich and multifaceted literary career that spanned several decades. Ransom’s influence extended beyond his poetry and critical essays; his role as an educator and his contributions to shaping the direction of American literature through movements like the Southern Agrarians and New Criticism left an enduring legacy.

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Legacy:

1. Southern Renaissance and Agrarianism: Ransom played a pivotal role in the Southern Renaissance, a literary movement that sought to redefine the cultural identity of the American South. As a founding editor of “The Fugitive” and a contributor to “I’ll Take My Stand,” he contributed to the Agrarian manifesto, advocating for a return to agrarian values and a rejection of industrialization. Ransom’s influence can be seen in the broader context of Southern literature and the ongoing dialogue about the South’s cultural distinctiveness.
2. New Criticism: As a key figure in the development of New Criticism, Ransom’s legacy is deeply intertwined with this influential literary theory. New Criticism, with its emphasis on close reading, formal analysis, and the autonomy of the literary work, reshaped the landscape of literary criticism in the mid-20th century. Ransom’s essays and co-authored works, including “The New Criticism,” remain foundational texts in the study of literature.
3. Educational Impact: Ransom’s influence extended beyond his written works to the realm of education. As a dedicated and influential teacher, he shaped the intellectual development of many students at Vanderbilt University and later at Kenyon College. His commitment to rigorous intellectual inquiry and the transformative power of literature left an indelible mark on the educational landscape.
4. Poetry and Literary Craftsmanship: Ransom’s poetry, characterized by formal precision, intellectual depth, and a keen awareness of language, contributes to his legacy as a poet of note. Works such as “Selected Poems” showcase his mastery of traditional forms and his exploration of diverse themes. His contribution to American poetry enriches the literary tradition and continues to be studied for its linguistic artistry and philosophical reflections.
5. Intellectual Exploration: Ransom’s engagement with theological, philosophical, and cultural questions in his essays and critical works reflects his broader impact on intellectual discourse. His ability to intertwine literary analysis with philosophical inquiry contributed to a deeper understanding of the relationship between literature and broader intellectual currents.
6. Literary Community and “The Fugitive”: Ransom’s role as a founding editor of “The Fugitive” magazine created a platform for the exchange of ideas among writers associated with the Southern Renaissance. The literary community that emerged from this publication, including figures like Robert Penn Warren and Allen Tate, had a lasting impact on the cultural and intellectual vibrancy of the American South.
7. Cultural and Regional Identity: Ransom’s exploration of Southern identity, agrarian values, and the challenges of modernization has left an imprint on discussions about the cultural and regional identity of the American South. His contributions have influenced subsequent generations of writers and scholars examining the complexities of Southern history and culture.