Gambier in Knox County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
John Crowe Ransom & The Kenyon Review
In 1938 the president of Kenyon College, Gordon Keith Chalmers, brought one of the nation's most distinguished poets and critics, John Crowe Ransom, to the Gambier Hill. Chalmers brought Ransom to Kenyon College to create a distinguished literary review. With its first appearance late in 1938, The Kenyon Review would become one of the most influential and honored literary magazines in America. Among the authors Ransom published during his two decades as editor were Robert Penn Warren, William Empson, Flannery O'Connor, Doris Lessing, Robert Lowell, and Randall Jarrell. The Kenyon Review also became closely identified with the “New Criticism,” a method of interpreting literature that influenced succeeding generations of readers and teachers around the world.
Aspiring writers made pilgrimages to Gambier to work with John Crowe Ransom. Poet Robert Lowell transferred from Harvard to Kenyon College to study with Ransom in 1938. Peter Taylor, one of America's greatest short story writers, soon appeared as well and became Lowell's roommate in Douglass House. (See Taylor's story “1939.”) Others there included Randall Jarrell and Robie Macauley. Along with F.O. Matthiessen and Lionel Trilling, Ransom founded the Kenyon School of English in 1948. The school operated for several summers and brought together students for the study of literature at the graduate level. In the 1940s and 50s, talented younger writers continued to arrive, including E.L. Doctorow and James Wright.
Erected 2003 by Ohio Bicentennial Commission and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 6-42.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Communications • Education. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1938.
Location. 40° 22.568′ N, 82° 23.911′ W. Marker is in Gambier, Ohio, in Knox County. Marker is at the intersection of Wiggin Street (Ohio Route 308) and Ward Street, on the left when traveling east on Wiggin Street. Marker is in front of Gothic-style 19c. cottage. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 102 Wiggin Street, Gambier OH 43022, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Kenyon College (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); George Wharton Marriott (about 500 feet away); David Bates Douglass (about 500 feet away); Colonel Lorin Andrews (about 700 feet away); Edward Bates Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Old Kenyon Cornerstone (approx. 0.3 miles away); Living History Along the Kokosing River (approx. 0.4 miles away); 0-6-0 Steam Locomotive (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gambier.
Additional keywords. John Crowe Ransom & The Kenyon Review
Credits. This page was last revised on November 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 26, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,434 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 26, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.