(written for Louis Untermeyer)
(At top, in Pound’s hand, in ink:) Ezra Pound to LU—a statement “in order to put the facts straight.”
Rapallo. 1932.
Entered U.P. Penn at 15 with intention of studying comparative values in literature (poetry) and began doing so unbeknown to the faculty. 1902 enrolled as special student to avoid irrelevant subjects. 1903—5 continued process at Hamilton College under W.P. Shepard, “Schnitz” Brandt and J.D. Ibbotson. 1905—7 P.G. at U. of Penn. Chiefly impressed by lack of correlation between different depts, and lack either of general survey of literature or any coherent interest in literature as such (as distinct for example from philology). 07—08 Instructor with Professorial functions at Wabash College Crawfordsville Ind. the “Athens of the West”, a town with literary traditions “Lew Wallace died there.” E.P. was fired at the end of 4 months all accusations save that of his being “the latin Quarter type” having been ultimately refuted. But the widow never married the President of the College after all.
1908 landed in Gibralter with 80 dollar and lived on the interest for some time. Life saved by Yusuf Benamore. (tourists please note and use the Benamore family if couriers are required.)
1908 A Lume Spento printed in Venice. Quinzaine, London.
1909: Personae (spring) Exultations (Autumn), quoted (with expurgations) in the International Sunday School lessons. etc. after which his intellexshul biography is largely contained in his publications (vide English Who’s Who E.P. having been expurgated from the American Who’s Who for disorderly conduct.
In 1912 invented terms “Imagiste” and Imagisme, the latter in order to avoid vain gabble as to the nature of poetry. Has no objection to pleasure others have had in exploiting these lables and offering cheap imitation, but regrets loss of critical distinction between poetry which “uses no word which does not contribute to the presentation” and verbosity (more or less rhythmic). Had no connection with the Amygist movement in American verse.
Invented the term vorticism and contributed to Wyndham Lewis “Blast” in 1914. 1927 produced “How to Read” summary of his critical conclusions, exposition of a method and proof that his various prose books and literary studies had not been haphazard dilletantism but done in pursuance with plan and coherent design. 1910—29 examination of neglected sections of society (i.e; sections neglected by uplift societies, Paul Morand, labour etc.)
1917-20 study of musicians on the hoof. 1919-21 composed an opera “Le Testament” (words by François Villon, plot and music by E.P.) opera edited by G. Antheil 1924. Books still in print. Personae (the collected poems, save the Cantos, Liveright 1926, 2nd. edtn. 1927.
Cantos I to XVI. Three Mts. Press, Paris 1925
Cantos XVII-XXVII, John Rodker, London 1927
Books announced for 1930:
Cantos I to XXX, Hours Press, Paris
The Poems of Guido Cavalcanti, definitive variorum text printed edited by E.P. complete translation, with commentary and second complete text in Manul reproductions of mss. chosen so as to give full paleographic history of the poems. Aquila Press, London.