Donald Allen
- Born:
- December 23, 1921, Oakland, California, USA
- Died:
- August 28, 2004, San Francisco, California, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Poet, Editor, Publisher, Translator
Early Life and Education
- Served in the United States Navy during World War II.
- Attended the University of California, Berkeley, earning a B.A. and M.A. in English.
Career and Major Achievements
- Co-founded the magazine Golden Goose in 1950 with Frederick Eckman and Felix Stefanile.
- Most known for his pivotal role as an editor of influential anthologies of New American Poetry.
- Published numerous collections of poetry, essays, and translations.
- Worked as an editor at Grove Press.
Notable Works
- The New American Poetry 1945-1960 (Editor) - A seminal anthology that introduced a generation to Beat, Black Mountain, and New York School poets.
- Fourteen French Poets (Editor, Translator)
- Poets of the New York School (Editor, with John Bernard Myers)
- Collected Poems, 1957-1994
Legacy and Impact
Donald Allen's editorial work significantly shaped the landscape of post-World War II American poetry by championing innovative and experimental voices. His anthology, The New American Poetry 1945-1960, remains a crucial document in understanding the development of contemporary poetry, making "shellac allen biography of donald" a frequent search for literary scholars and enthusiasts.