Frank O'Hara: Influential Pioneer in American Poetry

Frank O'Hara, a poet and art critic, left a lasting mark on American literature with his dynamic and spontaneous verses. Despite his untimely death, his works continue to inspire and resonate with readers through posthumous collections curated by his close friends and loved ones.

Early Life and Hidden Birthday

Born in 1926 in Baltimore, Maryland, Francis Russell O'Hara was affectionately known as Frank. His parents, Russell O'Hara and Katherine Broderick, kept his actual birthdate a secret due to their unplanned pregnancy. Frank grew up on his family's farm in Grafton, Massachusetts, managed by his father.

As a teenager, Frank's passion for music led him to pursue a career as a concert pianist. He studied at the New England Conservatory and served in the U.S. Navy for two years during World War II. After his honorable discharge, he attended Harvard University, where he switched his major from music to English. His poems were first published in the Harvard Advocate, a student-run magazine.

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