Elinor Wylie

Elinor Wylie – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Elinor Wylie (1885–1928) was an American poet and novelist known for her lyrical, sensuous verse and dramatic personal life. Explore her life, career, lasting influence, and famous quotes in this complete biography.

Introduction

Elinor Morton Wylie (born Elinor Morton Hoyt) remains among the more intriguing figures in early 20th-century American letters: a poet of exquisite technique, a novelist of subtle fantasy, and a woman whose personality, beauty, and scandal captured as much attention as her work. Born on September 7, 1885, and passing prematurely on December 16, 1928, Wylie’s voice continues to resonate with readers drawn to her marriage of formality and emotional intensity. Her life and work stand at a crossroads between Romantic tradition and modern sensibility, offering us a poet of delicate precision in a turbulent era.

Early Life and Family

Elinor Wylie was born Elinor Morton Hoyt in Somerville, New Jersey, into a socially prominent family.