Robert Frost at Amherst: A Timeline

The following is a brief chronology of Robert Frost's official connections with the College.

1916

First college readings: lectured at Amherst College April 8.

1917-1920

Professor of English:

  • 1917-1918 taught Advanced Composition

  • 1918-1919 taught American Authors

  • 1919-1920 taught American Literature-19th Century Poets; Advanced Composition 

1918

Awarded honorary M.A. by Amherst, May 2. This was the first honorary degree awarded Frost by any college or university.

1923-1925

Professor of English:

  • 1923-1924 taught Readings in English Literature

  • 1924-1925 taught Readings in Poetry, Drama, Essay and Short Story; Advanced Writing

1926

John Woodruff Simpson Lecturer (in residence for two weeks in January)

1926-1938

Professor of English on the John Woodruff Simpson Foundation endowment:

  • Held informal classes and readings and worked individually with students and teachers.

1938

Memorial service held in  Johnson Chapel on April 22 for Elinor Frost, who had died in Florida on March 20.

1948

Awarded honorary Litt.D. by Amherst on June 20.

1949-1963

Simpson Lecturer in Literature:

  • Spent several weeks in Amherst each fall and spring, meeting with students and faculty and holding public readings

1954 

80th birthday celebration at Amherst College, March 26.

1962

September: Amherst announces its new library to be named for Frost, who is present at the announcement.

1962

Frost's last public appearance at Amherst (Parent's Day readings), October 20.

1963

Robert Frost dies in Cambridge, Massachusetts, January 29.