Archibald Macleish: Reflections

This collection of oral interviews with Archibald MacLeish, conducted by educators Bernard A. Drabeck and Helen E. Ellis, provides an intimate portrait of one of America's most accomplished twentieth-century literary and political figures. Published by the University of Massachusetts Press with a foreword by fellow poet Richard Wilbur, the book presents MacLeish's reflections on his remarkable life and multifaceted career.

Arranged in question-and-answer format, the interviews capture MacLeish's recollections of his early years, his literary development, and his substantial contributions beyond poetry. The volume documents his evolution from a World War I veteran who initially pursued law to a celebrated poet whose epic "Conquistador" won the Pulitzer Prize in 1933. MacLeish also reflects on his prominent public service roles, including his tenure as Librarian of Congress and Assistant Secretary of State under Franklin D. Roosevelt, as well as his instrumental role in establishing UNESCO following World War II.

The oral autobiography presents MacLeish's perspectives on the relationship between poetry and society, the poet's civic responsibilities, and the intersection of artistic and political engagement. This firsthand account preserves the voice and wisdom of a major American literary and intellectual figure in the twilight of his life, offering readers unique insights into twentieth-century American letters, politics, and culture.