Wallace Stevens was born on October 2, 1879, in Reading, Pennsylvania, to Garrett (a lawyer) and Margaretha (a schoolteacher) Stevens. Stevens's father had a great impact on his education and career choices. He established an extensive library in their home, which he encouraged his son to take advantage of, and promoted the value of education. Stevens prospered in school, and by the time he finished high school, he had been recognized for his fine writing and oratory skills.

In 1897, Stevens entered Harvard, where he studied for three years. During this period, he had articles and poems pubalished in the Harvard Advocate. After his third year, Stevens left Harvard due to depleted funds. He soon landed a position as a reporter at the New York Tribune, which afforded him the time and the opportunity to record his observations of the city as subject matter for his poetry.

After Stevens...