A Book of Americans

work by Benét

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June 22, 2026

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A Book of Americans is a collection of poems co-authored by Stephen Vincent Benét and his wife, Rosemary Benét. Published in 1933, this work brings to life various historical figures from American history for young readers. The poems explore the lives and experiences of these individuals, offering a glimpse into different eras of the American past. Stephen Vincent Benét was a prolific American writer, known for his poetry, novels, and short stories, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning narrative poem John Brown's Body. His work often delved into historical themes, aiming to connect readers with the nation's heritage.1

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Stephen Vincent Benét
A Book of Americans (1933)—a collection of poems Benét wrote with his wife, Rosemary—brought many historical characters to life for American schoolchildren. His preoccupation with historical themes was also the basis for Western Star, an ambitious epic verse narrative on American history that Benét first…
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A Book of Americans (1933)—a collection of poems Benét wrote with his wife, Rosemary—brought many historical characters to life for American schoolchildren. His preoccupation with historical themes was also the basis for Western Star, an ambitious epic verse narrative on American history that Benét first…
Read More

children’s literature
Peaks and plateaus (1865–1940)
…hearty ballad-like poems collected in A Book of Americans (1933). But the only verse comparable to that of Stevenson or de la Mare was the exquisite Under the Tree (1922), by the novelist Elizabeth Madox Roberts, a treasure that should never be forgotten.
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…hearty ballad-like poems collected in A Book of Americans (1933). But the only verse comparable to that of Stevenson or de la Mare was the exquisite Under the Tree (1922), by the novelist Elizabeth Madox Roberts, a treasure that should never be forgotten.
Read More