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What ''momentous'' decision was made by Robert Frost in 1912?

Robert Frost (1874-1963) is an American poet, winner of four Pulitzer Prizes and was poet laureate of the United States from 1958-1959.  It is without a doubt Frost's move to England that gave him the resolve to continue writing despite difficulties in his life.  His wife Elinor was a constant source of inspiration throughout his life until her death in 1938 from cancer.  Perhaps without the momentous move to England Frost would never have found the courage to chase after his dreams and become one of the greatest poets the literary world has ever known.


Frost lived his early years in San Francisco until his father died.  He moved to Massachusetts and became interested in writing.  He attended several colleges, but never obtained a full college degree.  In 1895 Frost married Elinor White, with whom he shared valedictorian honors in high school.  The young couple attempted farming in New Hampshire, which ultimately proved a failure after twelve years.  Unfortunately their personal life did not fare much better.  Their fourth child, Elinor (1907), died just weeks after she was born.  The couple had three older children, all of whom died rather young. 


In 1912, Frost and family moved to England.  Although his first poem was published in 1894, Frost found new vigor in writing and produced two full books of poetry: A Boy's Will (1913) and North of Boston (1914).  Returning to America in 1915, Frost was firmly established as one of the most renowned poets. While publishing his various works Frost also taught at a number of colleges, including Amherst College, where the main library is now named for him.

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